Partisan politics have once again sidetracked our leaders in both chambers of Congress. We now have a very unstable healthcare insurance market, no realistic legislation to reform healthcare, and the continuing implosion of the Affordable Care Act.
As a physician, I listened to the political speeches and read multiple statements from President Trump, Speaker Paul Ryan, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and others promising swift action to create meaningful healthcare reform.
We were assured that healthcare would be the top priority in Congress. I was promised that, through reform, my patients would have better access to care, more affordable premiums, and more choices. I was also promised that physicians would be able to practice medicine with minimal government intrusion. No longer would predatory pricing by pharmaceutical companies be tolerated. Serious consideration would be given to addressing tort reform on the national level.
I believed them. I voted for them. Now, I am disappointed in all of them.
What Went Wrong?
Putting politics before patients
It is clear that neither party is willing to work with the other in order to create a better healthcare alternative. The Democrats have publicly stated that they plan to obstruct any Republican move to repeal, reform, or replace Obamacare. Republicans have spent seven years touting the faults of Obamacare and blaming Democrats for its shortcomings, yet they cannot even come up with a viable alternative. All the while, patients are suffering — limited access and expensive premiums have isolated many.
Putting personal gain before constituents
While we must remember that politicians are in fact politicians, all of them have campaigned to help those they represent.
However, working as a member of Congress can lead to significant wealth and personal gain. Rather than work to reform healthcare, many of our representatives are enjoying lavish treatment from healthcare and pharmaceutical lobbyists — some of the most lucrative lobbying positions in all of Washington, D.C.
Drug costs are one of the biggest contributors to healthcare costs, and pharmaceutical companies have spent billions of dollars to prevent legislation that could limit drug prices or allow Medicare to negotiate with drug companies on price. Unfortunately, the work of these lobbyists has time and time again sidetracked and delayed meaningful reform, all while lining the pockets of many members of Congress.
What Should We Do?
We have the ability to bring about change in Washington. We must all make sure that our representatives in Congress hear our individual voices. We must demand action, and we must advocate for those who need healthcare the most — the very young, the poor, and the elderly. Here is what must be done:
Term limits
Part of the problem in Congress is that many representatives have made Washington a way of life. It is difficult to make progress and improve life for the average person if we continue to have the same individuals in Congress for decades. We need new ideas and new personalities in order to evolve with the changing times. When we have lifetime politicians, our representatives become out of touch.
I would suggest no more than 12 years for senators and no more than 6 years for members of the House. If this law existed, we would not have had Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid stalling progress for nearly the past eight years.
Put Congress on notice: Vote out incumbents, regardless of party
Let your voice be heard. Even though I am a life-long Republican, my patience has run out. I believe we must vote against all incumbents, regardless of party, in the next election. We must put Congress on notice that if they do not do the job they were elected to do, that we will give someone else a chance to govern.
Too often, as voters, we simply vote along party lines and do not look at the body of work (or lack thereof) of a particular candidate. Call your members of Congress today, and let them know you expect action, or you will vote them out in the midterms.
Limit lobbyists
We must find a way to limit the influence of lobbyists. While people are suffering and healthcare continues to implode, these men and women continue to gain wealth and garner undeserved influence in Washington. Pharmaceutical companies could spend the billions of dollars they’ve allocated to lobbying activities to help produce more affordable medications instead. There must be stiffer penalties in place for those in Washington who allow the concerns of lobbyists to outweigh the needs of constituents.
In the 2016 election, healthcare was a top priority. After more than six months in office, the current Congress has yet to act to either reform Obamacare or repeal and replace it.
At this point, I am not hopeful that anything worthwhile will happen. Ultimately, patients will continue to suffer with limited access, limited choices, and rising costs. Although the Senate voted to proceed with debate, sadly I have little faith that anything of substance will come of it.
Kevin Campbell (@DrKevinCampbell) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog. He is an internationally-recognized cardiologist and medical, health, and wellness expert. He has authored two books and appears regularly on Fox News, Fox Business, CBS, and other media outlets.
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