Democratic health professionals make healthcare central to 2026 races

Democratic doctors, nurses and other medical professionals are running for Congress with campaigns focused on healthcare costs, Medicaid and public health. The group includes Wisconsin emergency room nurse Mitchell Berman, who is challenging Republican Rep. Bryan Steil, and California pediatrician Richard Pan, who is running against Rep. Kevin Kiley.

The campaigns come as Democrats criticize a 2025 budget law that includes about $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts over 10 years. Republicans defend the law as a way to reduce waste and strengthen programs for pregnant women, children and disabled Americans; 20 doctors currently serve in Congress, including six Democrats and 14 Republicans.

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