Ami Bera, Dem Physicians Launch Congressional Caucus
India-West News Desk
WASHINGTON, DC – The six Democratic physicians in the U.S. House of Representatives officially launched the Congressional Doctors Caucus, a new initiative aimed at promoting the health and well-being of Americans through pragmatic healthcare policy. The caucus will leverage the collective expertise of its members to offer insights on critical health issues and advocate for solutions that improve access, reduce costs, and strengthen care delivery, a press release said.
The group is led by Rep. Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06), an internal medicine physician, who expressed the caucus’s goal of advancing evidence-based solutions in healthcare. “As physicians, we bring firsthand experience with the challenges facing patients and providers every day,” Bera said. “This caucus will harness our collective expertise to advance practical, evidence-based solutions that lower costs, expand access, and strengthen care delivery. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure every American has access to quality, affordable care.”
The formation of the Democratic Doctors Caucus marks a significant shift in the political landscape, which has long been dominated by Republican physicians. The GOP Doctors Caucus, established in 2009, boasts over a dozen members, and has been a key player in shaping healthcare policy. However, the new Democratic caucus seeks to challenge this dominance and offer a counter-narrative, especially as healthcare policy faces ongoing attacks from Republican lawmakers.
Rep. Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR), a pulmonary and critical care physician, emphasized the importance of the caucus in defending science and patient-centered healthcare.
The caucus is also an important moment for Democratic physicians, many of whom are newer to the House. Rep. Kelly Morrison, M.D. (MN), the chamber’s first OB-GYN who supports abortion rights, expressed her pride in standing alongside her colleagues to protect access to lifesaving care.
Rep. Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA), an emergency medicine physician, noted, “I am excited to launch the Doctors Caucus that will fight for quality, affordable healthcare for American families.”
