"It’s a passion that people recognize that this is something that can shape the future of health care so they’re jumping in to play a role," Dr. Saulino said in an interview.
But the transition from doctor to representative can be a little rocky, Rep. Burgess noted.
"It’s pretty frustrating to work here because you’re in a big, large, slow-moving body. Not everyone will do what you say ... most physicians are used to being pretty much in command of their surroundings, whether it be the operating room, their office, their hospital, or the hospital board," he said in an interview. Regardless, Rep. Burgess doesn’t regret his choice; and neither does Rep. Gingrey, who said he decided to serve in Congress after he realized the difference he could make.
"I realized that I would be giving up my medical practice, something that I dearly loved, but that on a larger scale, I would be helping [million of] patients rather than just 3,000 or 4,000," Rep. Gingrey said.
Rep. Gingrey serves as cochair of the Republican Doctors Caucus, a Congressional interest group made up of 13 physicians and eight other health professionals including dentists and nurses. The group was formed in 2009 to protest the Affordable Care Act, among other aims. He said that more physicians in the House means greater clout for health care issues on Capitol Hill.
"We’re just bringing more in numbers and in clinical experience in dealing with patients and health care issues in the private sector," Rep. Gingery said in an interview. "To bring that to Washington, I think, has been a tremendous asset for us." As of yet, Democrats have no organization or committee similar to the group.
Many believe that the number of physician-legislators will only continue to grow. Health care issues, such as Medicare, will affect generations to come, Dr. Jotte said. "Even if we [repeal the ACA] we still have all the same problems that frustrate physicians ... and that gets you emotionally. Emotion is what draws people to action."