A time to serve By the people, for the people: Meet the DOs elected to state office From Texas to Michigan, DOs share what inspired them to serve, what projects they’re tackling and how to follow in their footsteps. Dec. 22, 2016Thursday Laura Selby Contact Laura Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Topics advocacypolicy PrevNextIn a year when DO appointments to federal committees increased fourfold, there’s been similar success at the state level, with osteopathic physicians elected to office in seven states. The DO sent questionnaires to all DOs elected to office in 2016 to learn why they chose to enter public service, their biggest legislative priorities and the advice they’d offer other DOs who’d like to follow a similar path. This gallery contains the responses we received, which have been edited for length and clarity. All views expressed are the legislators’ own and do not necessarily represent the views of The DO or the AOA. In addition to the DOs featured here, two others have been elected to state office: Terry Johnson, DO (Republican; Ohio House of Representatives), Samuel Muscari Sr., DO (Democrat; County Commissioner, Wyoming County, West Virginia).Role: Republican, elected to third term. Inspiration: I had become increasingly frustrated with health care decisions for my patients being assumed by medical insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies and corporate medicine. By holding public office, you have a chance to help so many more patients than you would solely in your practice. Upcoming projects: Some parents in Texas do not believe their children should be vaccinated. One of my big priorities is working to be sure children here have appropriate care regarding vaccines and in other areas. Advice: Be prepared that the world of politics is very different from our medical training and work atmosphere. In my experience, there are two main types of public servants: those who are there to solve problems and find workable compromises, and those who are elected only to push a political ideology. However, serving is a very fulfilling accomplishment.Role: Republican, elected to third term. Inspiration: I believe children who have faced neglect or abuse could be better served by our court system and by Child Protective Services. My biggest priority is to continue to advocate for those without a voice. Proudest moments: I helped get legislation passed that should help children and parents in child custody and divorce cases. I’m also proud to have helped pass Missouri’s “right to try” legislation, which allows terminally ill patients to try investigational drugs that haven’t been approved yet by the Food and Drug Administration. Advice: I encourage all DOs to know who their state and federal legislators are and to voice their opinions on policy.Role: Republican, elected to second term. Inspiration: I was disenchanted with how health care was being addressed at the state and national level and hoped to impact the issue through the legislative process. Legislative priorities: My top priority is working to decrease the regulatory burden on Michigan physicians. I also plan to re-introduce a bill to create a pilot program in which young physicians spend two years in rural, underserved areas after their first year of residency. In return, the doctors would receive student loan repayment aid. The hope is that some would decide to pursue primary care and potentially return to those rural, underserved areas after completing their training. Words of wisdom: Being a public servant is a service—I spend at least three days a week away from my wife and family. As a U.S. Navy veteran, I believe being part of state government is one of many paths doctors can take to serve their state or nation.Role: Republican, elected to first term. Inspiration: I saw serving as a means of staying true to my personal mission, which is also the DO mission: helping those in need and thereby making the world a little better. I believe the medical profession is currently overwhelmed by well-meaning but poorly thought-out rules and regulations, so I wanted to effect positive change from the inside out. Legislative priorities: I hope to try to develop an adequately funded Medicaid system in Kansas that is efficient and financially sustainable. I will also encourage the creation of treatment programs for mental health issues and addiction. Anticipated challenges: As a first-term state representative, I’ll be learning how to be effective in the legislative process. There’s a skill set required to push bills through by bringing people together for a worthy common cause.Role: Republican, elected to fourth term. Inspiration: When I first ran for the Missouri House of Representatives in 2010, all the physicians serving had come to the end of their terms, so there would have been no physician voice in the state House. I felt a commitment to federalism, states’ rights and the Constitution and also wanted to bring a medical perspective to the many health-related issues being decided by the legislature. I began my first term in 2011. Legislative priorities: I hope to reform insurance policies offered in Missouri to allow patients who save their insurance companies money by shopping around for medical services to reap some of the financial reward. I also plan to reintroduce the “Show Me Compassionate Medical Education Act,” which will establish a research project among Missouri’s six medical schools to study the issue of depression and suicide among medical students. Making psychiatrists eligible to participate in Missouri's Health Professional Loan Repayment Program is another priority. Advice: Running for state representative or state senator is not as hard as you might think, and you will have the knowledge that you truly tried to make a difference in health care. Try getting involved in your local or state medical association, and make yourself known to your state legislature by providing expert testimony to committees and attending committee hearings.Role: Republican, elected to fifth term. Inspiration: I’m from a family of DOs, MDs, and dentists who were very politically active, so I grew up around state and federal elected officials who convinced me 40 years ago to someday run for office. After many years at the grassroots level as a Republican precinct chairman and county chairman, I ran for the Oklahoma House of Representatives nine years ago and have been serving ever since. Legislative priorities: I authored legislation opposing the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act in Oklahoma. As a family physician who has delivered more than 2,000 babies, I’ve also authored several women’s health bills, including one that would require women with dense breasts to be notified and advised to have a diagnostic mammogram for early detection. I’m also a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and will continue to advocate for our citizens’ gun rights. Advice: I advise DOs and osteopathic medical students to get involved at the grassroots level to support candidates who believe in the free market of medicine. Run for office to fight the onslaught of government regulation and overreach. Role: Republican, elected to first term. Inspiration: I see a need for more physician involvement at all levels of government. Many bills will be introduced in the Oklahoma House of Representatives this session that will affect the practice of medicine. However, nonphysicians often don’t understand how their ideas affect the practice of medicine, so these bills can have unintended consequences. Legislative priorities: I want to improve access to medicine for all Oklahomans. I also hope to improve the number of DOs going into family practice in rural areas of the state. Advice: Don’t be afraid to stand for your beliefs—start by getting involved locally. Respected physicians have a unique chance to build credibility. If people trust you with their lives, they will trust you in their legislature. More in Advocacy Update on student parity advocacy Osteopathic organizations are joining together to pursue equitable treatment of DO applicants to training programs, the reduction of medical training biases and additional efforts to support DO trainees. Students and health policy: The importance of getting involved and where to start Osteopathic medical students have a variety of opportunities available to them when it comes to participating in and influencing the health care policies that will directly impact their future patients. Previous articleResidents need policy training. The TIPS program is a great way to get it. Next articleFor the win: 7 advocacy victories for the osteopathic profession in 2016
Update on student parity advocacy Osteopathic organizations are joining together to pursue equitable treatment of DO applicants to training programs, the reduction of medical training biases and additional efforts to support DO trainees.
Students and health policy: The importance of getting involved and where to start Osteopathic medical students have a variety of opportunities available to them when it comes to participating in and influencing the health care policies that will directly impact their future patients.