Physicians in the United States Congress have been a small minority of the members of Congress, with fluctuating numbers over the years. The number of physicians serving and running for Congress has risen over the last 50 years from 5 in 1960, down to a low of 2 in 1990, to a maximum of 21 in 2013 and a decrease to 14 in 2017. Possible explanations for this development have been increasing health care spending and increased health care reform debate in the United States, leading up to the Healthcare Reform Act.

In public opinion research by the American Medical Association (AMA) from 2013, voters rated "understanding of the problems facing our healthcare industry, including the bureaucratic red tape that is strangling health care providers and driving up the cost of health care for most Americans" as the most convincing statement of a physician candidate for Congress. Physicians in Congress have received large campaign contributions from health care trade associations and from peers through physician associations such as the AMA.

History

In 1776, 11 percent of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were physicians.^[1] Likewise, two (5 percent) of the 39 individuals crafting the US Constitution in 1787 were physicians.^[2]

During the first 100 years of Congress (1789–1889), 252 (or 4.6 percent) of 5405 members were physicians.^[3]

Motivations

Tom Coburn said, "physicians have watched the profession undergo tremendous realignments that are shifting doctors' responsibilities away from patient care, changes they attribute to the government's inefficacy".^[7] Jim McDermott was quoted as saying "They want to have their hands right there on the handle so they can pull it one way or another."^[7] Physicians "balked at the idea of lawmakers with no medical experience making decisions that could upend the profession", per Andy Harris.^[7]

Kelley Paul, wife of Rand Paul, said in 2015 when he made his 2016 White House bid, "Being a physician gives Rand a unique perspective in Washington, simply because he's trained to diagnose a problem and find a solution."^[8]

Public opinion

In 2013, the AMA funded three focus groups of voters across the country and an online survey to research public opinion on physicians as Congressional candidates. The top scoring potential message for a physician was to link back to health care expertise. "Because physicians work in health care daily, they bring a clear understanding of the problems facing our healthcare industry, including the bureaucratic red tape that is strangling health care providers and driving up the cost of health care for most Americans."^[6]

113th Congress (2013–2015)

From 2013 to 2015 there were 20 physicians in U.S.Congress, 19 of whom were male and 16 of whom were members of the Republican party.

† 2009/2012 cycle ††2013–2014 cycle

114th Congress (2015–2017)

From 2015 to 2017, there were 17 physicians in U.S. Congress. All were male and 14 were members of the Republican party.

† 2009/2014 cycle

115th Congress (2017–2019)

From 2017 to 2019 there were 16 physicians in the U.S. Congress; all were male and 14 were members of the Republican party. There were also one podiatrist, one dentist, and one optometrist.^[5]

116th Congress (2019–2021)

117th Congress (2021–2023)

There were 17 physicians in the 117th Congress, of whom 13 served in the House and 4 served in the Senate.^[55]

118th Congress (2023-present)

There are 19 physicians in the 118th Congress, of whom 15 serve in the House and 4 serve in the Senate.^[56]

Notes

References

External links

• "Physicians in the Senate" United States Senate, accessed May 28, 2015
• National Council of Physician Legislators Alliance for Patient Access, accessed 7 June 2018