by Bryant Boutwell, Dr.P.H

U.S. Rep. Dr. Michael C. Burgess, ’77, represents Texas’ 26th congressional district. He is the founder of a private practice, Obstetrics and Gynecology Associates of Lewisville, and most recently served as chief of obstetrics at Lewisville Medical Center. In Congress he serves on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the House Committee on Science. He recently took a few minutes out of his busy schedule for a phone interview.

Q: Why did you want to get into politics?

A: Any one of us who practices medicine will, at some point, realize they can do a better job in Washington than the people who are there. We’ll sit around the doctor’s lounge and figure out a way to deal with the issues of the day.

In December 2001, the big Medicare fee reduction provider schedule got my attention. I realized that important decisions were being made in Congress that affected me, and the way I practiced medicine and my patients’ abilities to get care. I wasn’t sure Congress realized what kind of local impact its decisions were having. At that same time, the congressional seat in my district was open for the first time in 18 years. The logical progression was that I knew I was needed in Congress.

Q: Is it what you expected?


A: That’s a tough question. As a busy physician, you don’t give a lot of thought as to what goes on in Congress, and my expectations were governed accordingly. When I look back on my first year here, I see that we’ve made real progress: We went from January, when the president said we would have prescription drug benefit to passing a bill in June; then to conference committee in fall and hearing the bill was dead on arrival -- then getting a conference report in November; and finally watching the signing of the Medicare bill in December. We literally got decades of work accomplished in that one year. That was really remarkable.

Q: Are there any striking similarities between medicine and politics?


A: When I’m up here in Washington, my day is double booked with appointments every 15 minutes, but instead of running down to the ER for an ectopic pregnancy, I’m running down to the House floor to vote. Sometimes an overscheduled day is really right in tune with the way my life used to run so culturally it wasn’t a shock to me. As far as a big difference is concerned, in general it takes a long time to get anything done in Washington, which is a concern to me.

Q: How long do you expect to serve?


A: I have not set any limits on a length of time I would serve. In order to make a difference up here, it takes more than one or two terms. As long as I continue to be useful to the 26th District, I’ll stay. I’m in my mid-50s now, so I realize there are physical limitations.

Q: Do you still have an active practice?


A: There is no way to do both jobs – it’s just too time consuming. I am keeping my license active, keeping up with my CME hours, and keeping my narcotic license up. I do see myself going back into the practice of medicine someday, but now my job is to represent my district.

Q: What are you trying to do to help your physician brethren?


A: Good issues are brought to me by physicians all of the time. I just added an amendment to an appropriations bill the other night regarding how the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) deals with independent physician offices as a result of a group of North Texas physicians making me aware of the issue. It shows the FTC how some of its actions are overbearing and unnecessary, and are hurting practices, and patient care suffers.

I also am advocating expanding coverage of Medicare to include bone density screenings to men as well as women. An endocrinologist brought it to my attention that men are at risk for osteoporosis, and the schedule doesn’t recognize that.

Q: With increasing liability rates, HIPAA regulations, and the pressures of a managed care environment, how can physicians help change the system to improve health care? What is your advice for physicians?


A: The liability issue is front and center – there is no clearer issue that puts our profession at risk. It is the number one threat to physicians, and if we don’t take a stand against this issue, our profession will cease to exist. We passed a bill in the House in March 2003 that would have dealt with this issue in a similar manner to the Texas law. My advice to physicians is to be educated on the issues that affect you, be involved in every level, and know where your local candidates stand on this issue or else you may not be in medicine too much longer.

Q: Did having a medical education help prepare you in any way for politics?


A: Yes. A medical education does not specifically help you in the finer points of debate or constitutional law, but having a medical background is important. One of my jobs up here is to be as educated as I can be on scientific issues that impact the country – such as stem cell research, unborn victims of violence – bringing in that expertise is important. As one of just a handful of physicians in the House, I am often sought out on those issues, and it is my job to stay current and conversant.

And the expertise of doctor’s does not go unnoticed. I was recently selected as Chairman of the House Policy Subcommittee on Health. I was appointed for this position after another doctor, now Governor of Kentucky, then Rep. Ernie Fletcher.