"One of the main questions of this election is, are we going to do anything to help more people get covered by health insurance," says Cutler, who also fields occasional questions on other economic issues. "Bradley's proposal is fundamentally very simple--a system of subsidies to make health care more affordable, and mandatory health coverage for children."

Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry Harold J. Bursztajn says that his contact with physicians around the country has allowed him to play a large role in forming Bradley's health care ideas.

"I was part of both the brain trust and the sounding board, working with others in my profession," Bursztajn says. "[Bradley] has reinvigorated health care as an issue."

"He recognizes that the lack of choice for patients causes both the quality of care and the doctor-patient relationship to suffer," Bursztajn adds.

Bursztajn admits, however, that his influence over what issues are being discussed is limited. For example, Bursztajn has expressed his concern over the reduction of federal funding for teaching hospitals such as the ones run by the Harvard Medical School.

"It's certainly something I've talked to [Bradley] and his campaign about," Bursztajn says. "I still think that he'll raise the issue at some point."

Entering the Ring

For several professors who have been involved in this year's campaign, networking with the Washington crowd is old hat.