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Orlando Physician Enters Federal Race
Anesthesiologist Ken Miller Wants to Wake Up CongressThis fall, Ken Miller, MD, will vie for the Florida 8th Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
So far, Miller is the only medical doctor on the ballot for a federal race in Florida in 2010. If Miller wins the Aug. 24 primary election, he will likely face incumbent Alan Grayson, a trial lawyer from Orlando.
Miller, a private practice anesthesiologist in Central Florida since 1983, board-certified in 1985, said he was compelled to run on the platform “of helping preserve American capitalism, American traditions, and to help prevent European style socialism from taking hold in the United States,” adding that “our children, grandchildren and future generations deserve the opportunity to live the American dream as my generation has.”
Miller has stressed his reasons for seeking federal office do not rest solely on healthcare issues. “However, it’s very timely that the current healthcare debate has waged,” he noted.
The Orlando Medical News chatted with Miller about the road to politics and reasons why he is seeking a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Is this your first political race? If so, why did you decide to become involved in politics?
I have never run for any political office before. I feel strongly that the country is heading in the wrong direction and has been for some time. I consider it crucial that we reign in government borrowing and spending or not only will we doom ourselves, but future generations as well.
When did you decide to run for federal office, and what was involved in the decision-making process concerning your practice?
Shortly after the presidential election of 2008, I decided to run. Luckily, I have a flexible schedule where I’m able to work and campaign. We (medical practitioners) generally start work early in the morning and finish early so that I have my afternoons and evenings free to campaign. I have the strong backing of my family and fellow doctors.
How are you handling your patient load?
I have enough flexibility in my daily schedule to accomplish everything I need to in a day. I expect, however, that I’ll need to cut back my workload in the summer to devote more time to campaigning.
Are you still called in for consults and surgery?
After hours, late night, and weekend work is rare.
How difficult is it to juggle the campaign with family and work?
It’s not difficult. Again, I can manage both in the day and my family is 100 percent supportive.
Do you believe physicians are under-represented in state and national politics?
Yes, definitely. That’s one of the reasons why I’m running for Congress. Only 14 of 435 members of the House of Representatives are physicians. Also, Florida has zero physicians in the House of Representatives. If there were more physicians in Congress, we would not be seeing bills like the recent healthcare bill that passed the House and Senate.
How can your training as a doctor help as a politician?
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