A growing number of Democratic medical professionals are seeking election to Congress, focusing their campaigns on making healthcare more affordable and accessible. These candidates, including doctors and nurses, are drawing attention to the impact of healthcare costs on patients and criticizing recent legislation that they argue will reduce access to essential services like Medicaid.
Mitchell Berman, an emergency room nurse from Wisconsin, is running to unseat Republican incumbent Rep. Bryan Steil in Wisconsin's 1st Congressional District. Berman stated that he frequently encounters patients struggling with the cost of medications and healthcare bills, issues he feels are beyond his ability to address solely within the medical field. His campaign, supported by groups like 314 Action, which aims to elect more scientists and medical professionals to office, highlights a broader Democratic effort to increase the number of healthcare providers in Congress. Currently, there are 20 doctors in Congress, with six Democrats and 14 Republicans.
Campaign Stances on Healthcare Legislation
Democrats are largely united on the goal of lowering healthcare costs, though they differ on the specific approaches, with some advocating for Medicare for All and others favoring expansions of existing systems. A common point of criticism among these candidates is the 2025 budget reconciliation bill, often referred to as President Donald Trump's signature tax legislation. Democrats contend that this bill includes approximately $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid over 10 years, partly through new work and eligibility requirements. Republicans, conversely, state their aim is to reduce “waste, fraud and abuse” within these programs.
Berman specifically criticized Steil's vote for the bill, recounting how Medicaid provided his mother with additional years of life and allowed her to experience significant family milestones. Steil's office responded by highlighting an increase in federal Medicaid funding for Wisconsin starting in July 2025, amounting to an additional $1 billion annually. Steil's statement also noted that the federal bill strengthened programs for their intended beneficiaries, including pregnant women, children, and disabled Americans.
In South Carolina, Dr. Annie Andrews, a pediatrician running for the Senate, noted that many voters are highly aware of Medicaid's role in the state's healthcare system, particularly as the largest insurer of children. She expressed concern that any reduction in funding could be devastating to the state's already strained healthcare infrastructure. The incumbent, Sen. Darline Graham, has expressed support for the tax bill, with her campaign pointing to rural healthcare funding within the legislation and criticizing Andrews' policy stances through an online game.
Dr. Richard Pan, a pediatrician and former California state lawmaker, is running to unseat independent Rep. Kevin Kiley. Pan, who has worked on strengthening public health measures, emphasized that voters are concerned not only about healthcare costs but also about the resurgence of diseases and potential disruptions to work and family life. A spokesperson for the Health and Human Services department stated that the administration is actively responding to outbreaks and will not be deterred by political tactics.
Kiley, in turn, has downplayed Pan's electoral prospects, criticizing his past legislative actions for potentially increasing medical costs. Kiley asserted that his campaign is receiving significant support from healthcare professionals, emphasizing his commitment to lowering costs for constituents.