A Need for Education in Healthcare Politics for Medical Professionals
Abstract
I worked in Congressman Michael Burgess’s office in Washington, D.C. through the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School Congressional Fellowship program from May 2007 until May 2008. During this time, I worked as his health legislative assistant and performed many of the same tasks as the other legislative assistants, including meeting with constituents, attending briefings, preparing the Congressman for hearings, and answering constituent correspondence. My work on several healthcare bills as a legislative assistant taught me the importance of an education in health policy for physicians if we are to successfully influence the future of healthcare legislation.