Hello Fellow Netizens!
This election cycle in the United States shocked and awed many of us, myself included, as Democrats racked up wins in states long considered Republican bastions. From flipping ruby-red Texas to electing a Democratic senator in Kansas for the first time in nearly a century, this has to be one of the most consequential election cycles in recent memory.
But as someone who loves both politics and medicine, what truly warmed my heart was how many physicians ran for office and won. I’ve never seen anything quite like it (at least in my lifetime). So I’d like to dedicate this article to why it matters when doctors go into politics and how we as voters can keep supporting that trend. Without further ado, let’s get on with it, shall we?
A quick note before we dive in. This piece is more opinionated than my usual articles.
Politics (from a Medical Student)
When I first started medical school in Washington, D.C., I was excited to learn how physicians engage in politics and shape policy. After all, most Americans rarely get to see the federal government up close, and being a medical student in D.C. gave me a chance to meet people and pursue opportunities that might otherwise have been out of reach. In my early enthusiasm, I jumped right in. I joined the Health Policy track, applied for internships, and worked with student organizations that advocated for policies I cared about. I quickly learned how often I’d hear “no,” even as a medical student. The opportunities I did get gave me some of the most formative experiences of my life. They also gave me the courage to launch Docnetizen and start publishing my own articles.
One thing I learned during medical school is that doctors can be really bad at politics. That became clear during my summer as a research fellow on Capitol Hill. I spoke with physicians from various organizations who came to our office to ask for legislative solutions to problems they faced. It felt strange to be on the other side of the conversation, listening to physicians with years of clinical experience make their case to congressional staff while I was still a medical student. What struck me most was how many struggled to explain the issues they cared so deeply about. Some used medical jargon that I could follow but that left other staffers guessing. Others struggled to tell their patients’ stories clearly or came in without having done enough homework on the office they were visiting. It was discouraging, but I left the fellowship with a clearer sense of what we needed to do as a profession. If we want to advocate effectively for our patients on Capitol Hill, we need to explain what’s at stake in plain language and understand who we’re asking to act.
The Blue Tsunami (and the Docs riding the waves)
The midterm results stunned me when I woke up the next morning the day after Election Day. Seeing Democrats retake the House and Senate was striking, but what surprised me even more was just how many offices were flipped. In Texas, for example, Democrats won races at the local, state, and federal levels, upending Republican control in a longtime conservative stronghold. And seeing so many physicians win congressional and gubernatorial races made my heart swell with joy. Over the past two years, public health officials and physicians have faced multiple uphill battles, such as the Secretary of Health and Human Services repeatedly spreading false claims about vaccines and media influencers without medical training promoting potentially harmful supplements or spread medical misinformation.
With more physicians in elected office, I hope they’ll advocate for their fellow Netizens with the same passion, determination, and care they bring to their patients. As a medical student about to become a physician, I can think of few people better equipped to help fix America’s broken healthcare system than doctors who have sacrificed more than a decade learning and practicing the art of healing. Feel free to disagree in the comments, but come prepared with data and credible sources!
What to look Forward To
Our newly elected members of Congress will take office in January 2027, and a few races are still too close to call. Those results could shift the balance of power on Capitol Hill even more for the Democrats, which would only prove even more how much Americans have shifted their stance against the Republican Party. We should expect the physicians we elected to champion policies that put patients first. Those policies may face resistance from the current administration and its allies, though the President’s shifting positions make it hard to predict how he’ll respond.
In the meantime, we need to stay vigilant and keep learning about the policy issues facing our communities and our country. For us as Netizens, staying informed is part of being responsible, engaged citizens.
With that, thanks for reading and…
Until next time, fellow Netizens!
Featured Photo: Photo by Noah Munivez: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-view-of-wave-on-ocean-10811953/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the author’s own opinions and statements. They do not reflect the opinions or stances of any organization affiliated with the author.
