December 1998
Volume 62 |
Number 12
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| Political Process
Needs Physician Participation |
Congressman John C.
Cooksey, M.D.
Monroe, Louisiana
Like it or not, the health care industry and the medical profession
are heavily dependent upon federal and state government mandates,
regulations, laws and bureaucrats. Yet, I find it interesting
that so few physicians actively participate in helping to elect
policymakers, the folks who often have a direct impact on how
we practice and on whom.
For 25 years as a physician in Louisiana, I worked behind the
scenes to elect good government candidates to Congress,
the state legislature and the governor's office. Serving as finance
chair for many successful candidates afforded me the opportunity
to interact with current, previous and future elected officials
as well as others who were at one time or another appointed to
key posts in government. As a result of raising money and building
friendships, I have had some level of input as to how the medical
profession is treated in my state.
In 1975, I worked on behalf of the state medical society to
push and ultimately get passed a comprehensive medical malpractice
bill which, among other things, installed a $500,000 cap on damages.
This effort never would have materialized had I not been actively
involved as a citizen and physician to help good government candidates
get elected. One thing is certain: participating makes good things
possible.
Getting involved with your state's medical society or with a
national organization are good first steps if you are wary of
wading into the political stream. But do not just send in your
dues; instead, actively participate by recruiting candidates,
contacting your state and federal representatives to determine
what legislation is pending, and assisting in lobbying efforts
on those bills that may impact the medical profession. Over time,
you may decide you want to run for elective office.
Among the most important assets necessary, raising money is
critical for those seeking public office. Unless and until Congress
changes the laws regarding campaign financing, running for office
will cost lots of money. If you want to affect the outcome of
a particular race, you must actively participate and help the
candidate of your choice raise money so he or she can be successful
in articulating a message and getting the message to the voters.
We, as physicians, have stood on the sidelines for too long. In
fact, that attitude almost cost us when, in 1993, the First Lady
tried to socialize our health care industry. Her failed effort
was one bullet we dodged, but there are other bullets flying as
we speak.
A patient's right to choose his or her own physician is a big
concern for the entire medical profession. Unfortunately, those
decisions are too often being made by bureaucrats and lawmakers
with little or no medical training. (The 105th Congress boasts
of more than 200 lawyers, but there are only nine physicians!)
Although no comprehensive health care legislation passed in this
Congress, rest assured patients' rights issues and other significant
reforms will resurface with the next Congress. In fact, the Medicare
Commission is required to release a preliminary report in early
1999 concerning the system and may make recommendations for change
in the system.
Clearly, tinkering with Medicare ultimately impacts all physicians
because insurance companies often take the Health Care Financing
Administration's lead when determining what level of coverage
they will provide for what procedure. It is my view that to casually
dismiss potential changes in Medicare would be short-sighted and
irresponsible for any physician, regardless of the age of their
patient base.
As Congress deliberates how to reform Medicare, consider where
you stand in participating in the political process and ask yourself
if it matters to you what changes are made. I often say politics
is the evil twin of public policy. Without engaging in the first,
you will be unable to be effective in the second.
The sooner you make a commitment to get involved with your time,
your energy and your financial resources, the better off we will
be as a profession, as an industry and as a nation.
A physician for 25 years, John C. Cooksey,
M.D., has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1997
from the 5th Congressional District of Louisiana.
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