Why doctors are jumping into politics right now | The Excerpt
USA TODAY
Doctors are running for office over Trump administration health policies. What could it mean for the midterms?
On the Tuesday, March 17, 2026, episode of The Excerpt podcast: Public health policy has become one of the most contentious fronts of the Trump administration. From cuts to Medicaid to the promotion of dubious theories on the causes of autism, some physicians say they feel compelled to run for office. USA TODAY National Reporter Sarah D. Wire explains what it could mean for the midterms.
Hit play on the player below to hear the podcast and follow along with the transcript beneath it. This transcript was automatically generated, and then edited for clarity in its current form. There may be some differences between the audio and the text.
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Dana Taylor:
Over the past 14 months, the Trump administration's policies have affected virtually every facet of American life from education to the economy. But perhaps the area it's had the most controversial impact is on public health. Some medical practitioners are now voicing their dissatisfaction with those policies by entering politics. Could they sway the midterms?
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