The number of physicians in Congress could grow by 50 percent

In other congressional-election news, The New York Times reports on a New Jersey race in which Medicare is a key issue.

Medpage Today: More Docs Hope To Call D.C. Home
Depending on how the votes add up this November, the number of physicians roaming the halls of Congress could grow by half -- from 20 to 30. A total of 28 physicians have their names on the ballot. That includes 17 incumbents and 11 challengers. Of the 20 physician members of Congress, 17 are in the House and three in the Senate. All of the physician House members, except for Rep. Ron Paul, MD, (R-Texas), who made an unsuccessful bid for the White House, are running for reelection. Two senators -- Rand Paul, MD, (R-Ken.) and Tom Coburn, MD, (R-Okla.) -- are not up for reelection (Pittman, 9/17).

The New York Times: Widow Takes On Congressman Who Ousted Her Husband
[Shelley] Adler and her Democratic allies have pounded away at [Republican Jon] Runyan for supporting a House Republican budget proposal that would overhaul Medicare, the health care program for older Americans. The Democratic attacks, which claim that the Republican budget would gut Medicare, have grown more persistent since the architect of that budget, Representative Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin, was chosen as Mitt Romney's running mate. Mr. Runyan has argued that Ms. Adler and her Democratic allies are not only distorting the issue but are actually the ones who would endanger Medicare (Hernandez, 9/17).