Commentary: OSMA's Ramaswamy Endorsement Reflects Physician Interests, Not Patients
In an Ohio Capital Journal commentary, the author argues that the Ohio State Medical Association PAC's endorsement of Vivek Ramaswamy for governor over Dr. Amy Acton reflects organized medicine's history of prioritizing physicians' professional and economic interests over patient welfare. The piece traces a pattern from the AMA's historic opposition to compulsory health insurance, Medicare, and prepaid group practice, to its later embrace of the Affordable Care Act once reform benefited physician incomes. The author notes Ramaswamy has called Medicare and Medicaid "a mistake" and criticizes OSMA's endorsement rationale for omitting Ohio's chronic disease burden, infant mortality disparities, and looming coverage losses from 2027 Medicaid and ACA changes. The commentary contrasts OSMA's choice with the Ohio Nurses Association's endorsement of Acton and the Columbus Medical Association's neutrality, arguing voters should read trade group endorsements as interest-group signals rather than verdicts on patient welfare.