Click in for more news from The Hill{beacon} Health Care Health Care   The Big Story Sanders gears up for heath fights in new yearSen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said he'll join the Senate Finance Committee next year, where he will aim to influence tax and entitlement debates with Democrats set to be in the minority. © AP Sanders hinted over the summer that he was considering throwing his hat in the ring to fill a vacant Finance Committee seat that opened after Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) resigned after his conviction on bribery charges.   Sanders would add a deeply progressive voice to the soon-to-be GOP-led finance panel, where he said he plans to prioritize protecting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, according to a statement posted on the social media platform X.  “I am proud of what we have accomplished during my time as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions,” Sanders said in the statement.    “As one of the senior members of the Democratic Caucus, I also look forward to serving on the Senate Committee on Finance which now has a number of Democratic vacancies. As a member of that committee, I will prioritize protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid from Republican attacks and creating a fair tax system that finally forces the very wealthy to pay their fair share.”   Of those three entitlements, Medicaid will be top-of-mind for many in Washington in the coming year, with potential reforms on the table during the next Congress as President-elect Trump and fellow Republicans try to offset tax cuts and streamline government spending.   Welcome to The Hill’s Health Care newsletter, we’re Nathaniel Weixel and Alejandra O'Connell-Domenech — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health.   Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here.  Essential Reads How policy will be impacting the health care sector this week and beyond:  Republicans ask for investigation into federal funding for Planned ParenthoodA group of more than 100 Republican lawmakers is asking for an investigation into the amount of federal funding that has been awarded to health centers that also provide abortion, including Planned Parenthood.  Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), as well as House Pro-Life Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), led a letter to the Government Accountability Office on Friday, asking for a report on the funding sent to the …  Full Story  Republicans open to RFK Jr. at HHS despite abortion-rights stanceSenate Republicans are signaling that they are open to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) despite his long-standing support of abortion rights and concerns emanating from anti-abortion voices about his selection.   Several leading anti-abortion figures and outfits have expressed concerns about Kennedy. But while Senate Republicans say they have questions for …  Full Story  Bird flu confirmed in child for first time in US: CDC The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that bird flu was found in a child in California, according to a press release issued Friday. The case is the first reported such infection in a child in the U.S., according to the release. It was detected through influenza testing and reported to the California Department of Public Health through influenza surveillance, the release noted. This case marks 55 total …  Full Story   Around the Nation Local and state headlines on health care: Georgia dismissed all members of maternal mortality committee after ProPublica obtained internal details of two deaths (ProPublica)  Why fatal drug overdoses are finally declining in S.F.--and elsewhere (San Francisco Chronicle)  Florida issues new guidance on fluoride drinking water (Newsweek)  What We're Reading Health news we've flagged from other outlets: TV’s Dr. Oz invested in businesses regulated by agency Trump wants him to lead (KFF Health News)  Drug or biologic? An Eli Lilly lawsuit could impact weight loss drug compounders (EndPoints News)   What could Trump mean for the business of health? Scenarios for an RFK Jr. HHS (STAT)  What Others are Reading  Most read stories on The Hill right now: Trump immigration crackdown: Denaturalization just a drop in the bucket President-elect Trump’s incoming administration is expected to take aim at legal immigration in addition to cracking down on the illegal variety, slowing … Read more Trump expected to name Kelly Loeffler for Agriculture secretary President-elect Trump is expected to name former Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) to serve as secretary of Agriculture, a source close to the transition … Read more What People Think Opinion related to health submitted to The Hill: Vaccines have saved generations from diseases. It’s our turn to save them.  You're all caught up. See you next week! \ Close Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here The latest in politics and policy. Direct to your inbox. Sign up for the Health Care newsletter Subscribe