Ep 43: The physician's guide to running for office

Medical Economics presents the Physician’s Guide to Running for Office. This is a companion piece to the wonderful print feature by Medical Economics Editor Richard Payerchin. This episode has been pulled from the hours of interviews he performed with Physicians serving in government at the local, state, and federal level.

Physician politicians: Why doctors choose to serve -- and how you can too by Richard Payerchin

Check out our previous episodes about malpractice, payer negotiations, and physician reimbursement.

Cast list (in order of appearance)

Name: Jasmeet Bains, M.D.
City, State: Delano, California
Specialty: Family medicine, addiction medicine
Elected Office: Assemblymember, California State Assembly
Medical school: American University of Antigua

Name: Ken Moore, M.D.
City, State: Franklin, Tennessee
Specialty: Orthopedic surgery
Elected Office: Mayor, Franklin Tennessee
Medical school: University of Tennessee College of Medicine

Name: Elizabeth Steiner, M.D.
City, State: Portland, Oregon
Specialty: Family medicine
Elected Office: Senator, Oregon Senate, and running for Oregon state treasurer
Medical school: University of Massachusetts Medical School

Name: Alice Mann, M.D., M.P.H.
City, State: Edina, Minnesota
Specialty: Emergency medicine
Elected Office: Senator, Minnesota Senate
Medical school: Meharry Medical College, Johns Hopkins University

Name: Ami Bera, M.D.
City, State: Sacramento County, California
Specialty: Internal medicine
Elected Office: Congressman, U.S. House of Representatives
Medical school: University of California, Irvine

Name: Michael C. Burgess, M.D.
City, State: Cooke County, Texas
Specialty: Obstetrics/gynecology
Elected Office: Congressman, U.S. House of Representatives
Medical school: University of Texas Medical School

Name: Kim Schrier, M.D.
City, State: Sammamish, Washington
Specialty: Pediatrics
Elected Office: Congresswoman, U.S. House of Representatives
Medical school: University of California, Davis, School of Medicine

Name: Bill Hauter, M.D.
City, State: Morton, Illinois
Specialty: Emergency medicine, anesthesiology
Elected Office: Representative, Illinois House of Representatives
Medical school: Indiana University

Music Credits: America the Beautiful (MARCHING BAND VERSION) by Traditional - stock.adobe.com

Yankee Doodle by michelangeloop – stock.adobe.com

The Star Spangled Banner by mattharveymusic – stock.adobe.com
Relaxing Lounge by Classy Call me Man - stock.adobe.com
COCKTAIL by Mythical Audio - stock.adobe.com

Editor's note: Episode timestamps and transcript produced using AI tools.

Introduction to the Episode (00:00:00)
Discussion on the impact of policy decisions made by those without medical experience on healthcare practices.

Challenges in Politics (00:01:11)
Dr. Jasmeet Bains shares her hesitations about entering politics and the significant commitment required.

Dr. Ken Moore's Quick Decision (00:02:10)
Dr. Ken Moore explains his spontaneous decision to run for office in Tennessee.

Dr. Elizabeth Steiner's Advocacy (00:02:51)
Dr. Steiner discusses her advocacy work and the realization of the need for a physician's voice in legislation.

Dr. Alice Mann's Motivation (00:04:50)
Dr. Mann shares her concern for patients and her journey back into politics after initially stepping away.

Dr. Ami Bera's Political Entry (00:06:51)
Dr. Bera describes his motivation to run for office during the Affordable Care Act discussions.

Dr. Michael Burgess's Influential Moment (00:07:31)
Dr. Burgess reflects on how 9/11 influenced his decision to run for office.

Fundraising Challenges (00:08:06)
Dr. Kim Schrier discusses her discomfort with fundraising and the necessity of it in campaigning.

Campaigning and Community Engagement (00:10:11)
Dr. Steiner emphasizes the importance of community interaction during her campaign.

Negative Campaigning Experiences (00:11:12)
Dr. Bill Hauter recounts facing negative attacks from his own party during the primary election.

Dr. Mann's Insight on Political Messaging (00:14:10)
Dr. Mann shares her experiences with misleading attack ads during her campaign.

Reflections on Losing Elections (00:16:34)
Dr. Bera discusses his initial loss in 2010 and the valuable experiences gained from it.

Trust in Election Results (00:17:42)
Dr. Schrier expresses caution regarding election numbers but acknowledges the trust constituents place in her.

Day-to-Day Life in Congress (00:18:58)
Dr. Bera describes the demanding schedule of a U.S. House representative.

Legislative Routine in Oregon (00:20:50)
Dr. Steiner outlines her busy schedule during legislative sessions and the importance of relationship building.

Full-Time Commitment in Politics (00:22:43)
Dr. Mann explains her view of her legislative role as a full-time job alongside her medical practice.

Balancing Family and Politics (00:24:02)
Dr. Mann discusses how she incorporates her family into her political activities and campaign efforts.

Balancing Politics and Practice (00:24:44)
Dr. Bains shares her experience managing time between being a legislator and medical director.

The Need for Physician Advocacy (00:25:53)
Discussion on the importance of physician voices in state politics despite time constraints.

The Dual Role of Physicians (00:26:59)
Physicians must prioritize advocacy while managing their demanding medical careers.

Diversity in Political Perspectives (00:28:51)
Dr. Burgess highlights the lack of uniformity among physician politicians in Congress.

Bipartisan Collaboration (00:29:53)
Dr. Schreier emphasizes the importance of physician camaraderie across party lines for effective governance.

Pressure and Freedom in Politics (00:31:05)
Dr. Horton discusses the freedom of being a citizen legislator without career politician pressures.

Advice for Aspiring Legislators (00:33:07)
Dr. Steiner advises on the patience and tenacity required for legislative roles.

Understanding Your Motivations (00:33:26)
Reflecting on the importance of knowing why one wants to run for office.

The Interconnection of Medicine and Politics (00:33:51)
Dr. Mann stresses the necessity for physicians to engage in political processes affecting healthcare.

Closing Remarks (00:35:01)
Host Keith Reynolds concludes the episode, thanking contributors and encouraging political engagement.