A Lot Will Change After Election Day. Our Care for Patients Won’t

As I’ve watched election coverage, prepared to vote in my own community and spoken to so many of you this fall, I’ve been reminded of the unique space family physicians hold in medicine. We know our patients well. We understand their hurts and their joys. When there is anxiety and uncertainty in the world, or divisiveness in public discourse, we can be a source of reassurance. We are the stable source of trust for our communities. We listen, we act and we advocate. 

Election Day brought change. For many people, any election (especially a presidential election) brings worry and perhaps a whole host of other emotions. Family physicians are human, and that means that many of us are experiencing the same emotions as our patients. Change creates uncertainty, and there is much at stake in health care as a result of this election.

So, in the face of change and uncertainty, family physicians will do what we have always done: We will focus on how we can help, heal and empower. For the AAFP, this means shifting from watching election coverage to planning how we will work with a new administration to continue advancing the issues of access, equity and payment. It means finding ways to work with all elected officials, of all political parties, to advocate for our patients and our communities.  

It will take all of us to accomplish real change in health care. We have a flawed system. Our patients deserve better and we deserve better. So, I’m asking you to join us. Over the coming weeks and into early 2025, we’ll be sharing more with you about the AAFP’s efforts to work with the new presidential administration, House and Senate to affect meaningful change. Meanwhile, I ask you to learn how your chapter is engaging with state and local officials and to watch for Speak Outs and other opportunities we’ll create to help make your voice heard at the national level.  

One thing hasn’t changed this week: Today and every day, patients need family physicians. Our patients rely on us to be present, caring for them and strengthening the health of our communities. Our role is enduring and essential. 

Thank you for serving your communities as the world around you changes. You are vital to our success as we build the path to better health for our nation.