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Guest Editorial APRIL 2007
Never Too Early
Vivian M. Dickerson, MD
The year 2007 has started out in high gear. Here we are in the
first trimester so to speak, and politicians are already in a feeding
frenzy as they rush to declare their candidacy for the 2008 presidential
election. It is early and unpredictable, and it is a signal that
it is time for advocacy. There are many ways to gain the ear of
a politician. Money certainly has power, but loyalty and support
early in a political career or campaign count for a lot. So now
is the time to create relationships that will matter in the long
run.
Will 2008 bring good news or bad news for OB/GYNs and their patients?
That depends on your perspective, and more importantly on your
input. Media wisdom suggests that the country is fed up with the
Bush administration and that the 2008 elections will favor the
Democrats. If your primary political issue is the medical liability
crisis, this would not be good news. The ties between the Democrats
and the trial lawyers are well documented. If your issues are reproductive
choice, access to emergency contraception (EC), and/or stem cell
research, then your prospects may be better. The Democrats have
a track record for supporting such causes in women’s health.
What is a doctor to do? Get involved! The first step is to recognize
that there are many alternatives to the traditional approaches,
and these are more easily explored early in a campaign. Are we
not working toward options other than tort reform in the liability
crisis? Are we not seeking compromise with the US Food and Drug
Administration regarding over-the-counter availability of EC? Why
not look at the ways in which we can provide the impetus for compromise
and reform, instead of just reacting to what is dished out to us?
Physician input is respected on Capitol Hill and likewise in
the state legislatures, but we must be present to give it. No matter
what your political affiliation, you have to agree with Senator
Barack Obama: The country is in the mood for a change. Are you?
There are many ways to advocate for women’s health. Campaign
contributions, political volunteering, hosting events, or even
memberships in larger professional organizations are avenues to
access. Even if you have never ventured into this arena before,
your degree, your practice, and the support of your patients make
you a desirable commodity in the political market.
Is this “pie in the sky”? We have busy practices, families,
and other obligations. Most of us want to take on fewer obligations, not
more. In this respect, membership is a viable option. Professional societies
have long been active in influencing state and federal governments. However,
many professional societies are limited in this capacity by their not-for-profit
status, especially the 501(c)3 organizations; such an organization cannot
participate in political activities. It cannot support or oppose any given
candidate. It can address issues, but can spend only a small percentage
of its budget on lobbying—clearly a handicap in an era when money rules.
Many organizations are now solving this problem by creating a political action committee (PAC). The American Medical Association and its state organizations have PACs. OB/GYNs for WomenÍs Health (OGWH) also has the first and only federal OB/GYN political action committee, called OB/GYN PAC. While contributions to this organization have increased, there is still a lack of awareness. Fellows of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists can join OGWH via a check-off box on their annual dues statement, but are often unaware that these dues do not contribute to the political process. Separate contributions to OB/GYN PAC help elect individuals to the US Congress who will support our specialty. Political action committee contributors can also consider serving on the PAC board to influence decisions on which candidates the PAC will support. Joining and contributing to a PAC of your choice is one more option to gain advocacy and influence in the political process.
What are physiciansÍ issues for 2008? We are confronting many problems, including the liability crisis, access to care, reproductive choice, teen pregnancy, research funding, patient safety, quality of care, pay for performance, and Medicare physician payment. To believe that politics has no part in medicine is to put our heads in the sand. Instead, we should declare, commit, and enjoy the results that having a congressional or presidential ear can provide. During my many years of advocating for women, politicians have often asked me: ñWhere are the doctors?î Regardless of your opinions about the legal profession, you have to admit that lawyers run for office and contribute more financially to campaigns than do physicians. We canÍt sit in our offices and expect to be heard. It is amazing what a difference a small contribution, a letter, or a visit to an elected official can make. Or better
yet, join a campaign committee and support the candidate of your choice—and while youÍre at it, voice your views on the candidateÍs platform. We are
the experts on health care.
LetÍs share our knowledge and our goals.
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