The Doctor Won’t See You Now: Can Politicians in White Coats Heal America’s Health Crises?

The sudden passing of Senator Lindsey Graham has left a power vacuum in South Carolina, which presents an opportunity to shift the conversation about healthcare and science in American politics. Annie Andrews, a pediatrician with 20 years of experience, is vying for the seat against Darline Graham, the senator’s sister. This election is significant not only because of its timing but also because it highlights the growing movement to elect more doctors into public office.

The organization behind this push is 314 Action, which aims to increase the number of scientists and doctors in elected positions by 2030. With a goal of electing at least 100 physicians over the next four years, they’re not just talking about token representation – they want to fundamentally change the way healthcare and science are addressed in politics.

Andrews’ candidacy is part of this larger effort, which has been gaining momentum since last year’s midterm elections saw record numbers of scientists and mathematicians running for office. However, research by Matthew Motta and Meredith Conroy suggests that having a STEM background doesn’t automatically translate to success at the ballot box; in fact, candidates with science backgrounds were less likely to win in 2018 than their non-STEM peers.

Recent events have made health and science top-of-mind issues for voters. The resurgence of infectious diseases, cuts to Medicaid, and attacks on scientific research have created a perfect storm that’s forcing politicians to take sides. As Motta noted, “It’s really important then, if we want to defend science from politicized attacks on its daily operation, that those who actually do science and who do medicine are elected to Congress.”

The partisan divide in healthcare is well-documented, with some doctors contributing to misinformation on vaccines and other health issues. However, electing more physicians could help repair trust in science, as Naughton argued: “Most people do trust their physicians, and they bring a lot of credibility.” Doctor-politicians have a fact-based approach to problem-solving that could be a breath of fresh air in Washington.

However, there are significant barriers for doctors who want to enter politics. Many go into debt during medical school, making it difficult to leave their fields and take on the financial risks of running for office. As Josh Green, the governor of Hawaii and an emergency physician, noted: “Had I had $300,000 or $400,000 of debt, like a lot of my colleagues from medical school, I could never have run for the state house.”

The 314 Action’s goal of seeding campaigns with enough money to get off the ground is crucial. Barbara Bollier, an anesthesiologist and former Republican-turned-Democratic state lawmaker in Kansas, said: “I moved the ball down the field” by running for the Senate in 2020, even if she didn’t win.

The question now is whether this movement can overcome its own challenges and make a tangible difference in American politics. Can doctors change the conversation about healthcare and science? It’s not an easy task, but as Andrews said: “I don’t think there’s ever been a more important time to elect scientists and medical doctors to all levels of our government.” The outcome of this election will be closely watched, but one thing is certain – it won’t just be about who wins the seat in South Carolina. It’ll be about whether politicians with white coats can heal America’s health crises.

The stakes are high, and so are the expectations. But as 314 Action has shown, the potential for change is real. Now it’s up to Andrews and other doctor-candidates to prove that medicine and science can be more than just talking points in Washington – they can be a force for healing America’s broken healthcare system.