The son of immigrants who fled communist Eastern Europe immediately after World War II, Dr. Andy Harris was as a physician at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, a medical officer in the Naval Reserve, and a state senator before coming to Congress.
Born in Brooklyn in 1957, he studied medicine at Hopkins, where he continued to practice as an anesthesiologist for nearly three decades. Andy specialized in obstetric anesthesiology.
In 1988, Andy answered a recruitment call to fill a critical need for anesthesiologists in the Naval Reserve during the Reagan administration. He went on to establish and command The Johns Hopkins Medical Naval Reserve Unit. In 1990, his unit was called up to active duty in order to assist with Operation Desert Shield (and later Operation Desert Storm) at Bethesda Naval Hospital. Harris attained the rank of Commander (O-5) before leaving the Reserves after seventeen years.
As a physician, I am keenly aware of the challenges that all Americans face when it comes to health care. The previous president's health care law only made things worse – the cost of insurance has gone up along with healthcare costs, while the quality of care and choice of providers has gone down, especially for our seniors.
I believe people with preexisting medical conditions should retain access to insurance. However, real reforms are necessary to make quality health care coverage more affordable and accessible. Tort reform will do away with frivolous lawsuits and reduce health care costs for everyone. Everyone should be able to purchase insurance across state lines – competition always provides the best possible product at the lowest possible price. And finally, we must preserve and strengthen the doctor-patient relationship. Physicians, not government bureaucrats, should provide guidance on medical decisions that affect you and your family.