Ami Bera leads formation of Congressional Doctors Caucus

Indian American lawmaker says caucus will advance practical, evidence-based solutions that lower costs, expand access and strengthen care delivery

By Arun Kumar 

Six Democratic physician members of Congress are forming the Congressional Doctors Caucus, a group aimed at addressing a variety of healthcare concerns from potential Medicaid cuts to the reduction in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.

“As physicians, we bring firsthand experience with the challenges facing patients and providers every day,” said Indian American Rep. Ami Bera (CA-06). “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.”

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“For a long time, there were only two Democratic doctors in Congress: myself and [Rep.] Raul Ruiz, [MD],” he told MedPage Today in an interview. Republican physicians in Congress — of which there are many more — “have their own GOP Doctors Caucus. They certainly would invite us to participate in some of their events, but often on policy issues.”

In addition to Bera and Ruiz, the other members of the caucus include Rep. Kim Schrier, MD (D-Wash.), Rep. Herb Conaway, MD (D-N.J.), Rep. Maxine Dexter, MD (D-Ore.), and Rep. Kelly Morrison, MD (D-Minn.).

Bera noted that the group calls itself the “Congressional” Doctors Caucus and not the “Democratic” Doctors Caucus because “we think it’s important to take partisanship out of the name…. Obviously, there are times where all the doctors in Congress can come together; the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule is probably one of those areas. Surprise billing is another area where we’re able to come together, and we’re hopeful that we can all come together to protect Medicaid, because that is such a vital way that so many Americans get their healthcare.”

The Medicaid issue is top of mind right now “since we know the budget reconciliation bill is out there, and it does look like [House] Speaker Mike Johnson [R-La.] is proposing dramatic cuts to Medicaid,” Bera said.

“Doctors in our caucus are really focusing in on amplifying why Medicaid is so important, why it’s so important to Republican districts, to red states, to rural hospitals, and to community health centers. So I do think what’s imminent in front of us is, how do we make the case to the American public about how vital Medicaid is? [Medicaid cuts] really would impact not just Democratic districts, [they] would impact a lot of Republican districts, maybe even more so.”