Moving Forward

The verdict is in. President Barack Hussein Obama won a decisive victory in his bid for reelection and the Democrats will retain control over the Senate. The proverbial "morbidly obese" lady has sung. The incessant flow of attack ads that dominated screens for months on end has ceased; the prophesying pundits have been silenced. And the American people now have a clearer vision of the future of health care in this country. Whether or not you like the outcome of the election, it is truly over. Now it’s time for politicians to get down to business serving the millions of Americans who put them in office.

It’s also time for physicians, nurses, health care executives, and every other American who directly or indirectly plays any role in the delivery of health care in this great nation to come together to boost the quality of care provided to our citizens to an unprecedented level.

Yes, it is conceivable that some physicians will have to pay higher income taxes. But when we were pulling all-nighters with overflowing coffee mug in hand cramming for medical school finals or going without sleep for 36 or more hours working on the hospital wards, we were working toward an indestructible sense of self-worth that is its own tangible reward.

Caring for those who are sick and dying and helping their loved ones is an honor that instills a feeling of value and distinction that many nonphysicians will never experience. Think back to the most memorable patient you had in those early years and imagine their fate had they not had access to medical care.

The Affordable Care Act will open doors for millions of Americans to become insured and have access to preventive services. Much of the charity care physicians already provide will become reimbursed care, helping to assuage concerns many physicians have about their earning potential.

I still believe the vast majority of us went into medicine to help people, not to become rich. People matter. Though we are not elected officials, we still stand in a unique position to influence lives and move this country forward. This is the time to make our profession shine.

Dr. Hester is a hospitalist with Baltimore-Washington Medical Center, Glen Burnie, Md., who has a passion for empowering patients to partner in their health care.

The verdict is in. President Barack Hussein Obama won a decisive victory in his bid for reelection and the Democrats will retain control over the Senate. The proverbial "morbidly obese" lady has sung. The incessant flow of attack ads that dominated screens for months on end has ceased; the prophesying pundits have been silenced. And the American people now have a clearer vision of the future of health care in this country. Whether or not you like the outcome of the election, it is truly over. Now it’s time for politicians to get down to business serving the millions of Americans who put them in office.

It’s also time for physicians, nurses, health care executives, and every other American who directly or indirectly plays any role in the delivery of health care in this great nation to come together to boost the quality of care provided to our citizens to an unprecedented level.

Yes, it is conceivable that some physicians will have to pay higher income taxes. But when we were pulling all-nighters with overflowing coffee mug in hand cramming for medical school finals or going without sleep for 36 or more hours working on the hospital wards, we were working toward an indestructible sense of self-worth that is its own tangible reward.

Caring for those who are sick and dying and helping their loved ones is an honor that instills a feeling of value and distinction that many nonphysicians will never experience. Think back to the most memorable patient you had in those early years and imagine their fate had they not had access to medical care.

The Affordable Care Act will open doors for millions of Americans to become insured and have access to preventive services. Much of the charity care physicians already provide will become reimbursed care, helping to assuage concerns many physicians have about their earning potential.

I still believe the vast majority of us went into medicine to help people, not to become rich. People matter. Though we are not elected officials, we still stand in a unique position to influence lives and move this country forward. This is the time to make our profession shine.

Dr. Hester is a hospitalist with Baltimore-Washington Medical Center, Glen Burnie, Md., who has a passion for empowering patients to partner in their health care.

The verdict is in. President Barack Hussein Obama won a decisive victory in his bid for reelection and the Democrats will retain control over the Senate. The proverbial "morbidly obese" lady has sung. The incessant flow of attack ads that dominated screens for months on end has ceased; the prophesying pundits have been silenced. And the American people now have a clearer vision of the future of health care in this country. Whether or not you like the outcome of the election, it is truly over. Now it’s time for politicians to get down to business serving the millions of Americans who put them in office.

It’s also time for physicians, nurses, health care executives, and every other American who directly or indirectly plays any role in the delivery of health care in this great nation to come together to boost the quality of care provided to our citizens to an unprecedented level.

Yes, it is conceivable that some physicians will have to pay higher income taxes. But when we were pulling all-nighters with overflowing coffee mug in hand cramming for medical school finals or going without sleep for 36 or more hours working on the hospital wards, we were working toward an indestructible sense of self-worth that is its own tangible reward.

Caring for those who are sick and dying and helping their loved ones is an honor that instills a feeling of value and distinction that many nonphysicians will never experience. Think back to the most memorable patient you had in those early years and imagine their fate had they not had access to medical care.

The Affordable Care Act will open doors for millions of Americans to become insured and have access to preventive services. Much of the charity care physicians already provide will become reimbursed care, helping to assuage concerns many physicians have about their earning potential.

I still believe the vast majority of us went into medicine to help people, not to become rich. People matter. Though we are not elected officials, we still stand in a unique position to influence lives and move this country forward. This is the time to make our profession shine.

Dr. Hester is a hospitalist with Baltimore-Washington Medical Center, Glen Burnie, Md., who has a passion for empowering patients to partner in their health care.