Dave Oxman

David Oxman graduated from Springfield High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from Tufts University in 1989. His career experience includes working as a physician.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am an intensive care doctor, writer and medical school professor. My family goes back four generations in Philadelphia. I am also a lifelong Democrat. Trained in infectious diseases, critical care and medical ethics, and I've been an advocate for solutions to public health threats like gun violence, medical disinformation and our broken health care system for my entire career

As an intensive care doctor I meet people from every corner of this city and from every walk of life on some of the worst days of their lives. And I see how social ills – like poverty, addiction, gun violence, lack of educational opportunities – complicate illness and limit the potential of too many Philadelphians.

During the COVID pandemic, I stood on the front lines battling a deadly virus, and just as deadly medical misinformation. I was also an early and outspoken critic of RFK Jr.’s appointment to the Department of Health and Human Services. As a researcher, I have published numerous articles and book chapters, and as a writer many opinion pieces on politics and society that have appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Hill, and The Philadelphia Citizen amongst others.

A career in medicine has taught me about problem-solving, empathy, and teamwork, and now I want to bring those values to represent Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District. I’m married, the father of two kids and a proud Philadelphia School District parent.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS AT A CROSSROADS

Creating an affordable and just economy means making big changes - like overhauling our tax code to make the wealthy pay their fair share, confronting the deep roots of our broken health care delivery system, and fully funding higher education instead of saddling students with crippling amounts of debt to name a few.

But too many Americans no longer trust our party to do that work. Instead, they see a party content to tinker around the edges of big systemic problems and politicians corrupted by money from special interests. They also see a party that is sometimes more interested in preaching to the choir or letting dogma and labels stop us from building the coalition we need to move forward.FIGHTING INCOME INEQUALITY

Our economy is rigged to funnel more and more of the economic gains to fewer and fewer people. Leaving most Americans with fewer opportunities and less security. This hasn’t happened by accident, but has been the result of regressive tax policies, unchecked corporate lobbying and the weakening of labor unions.

Going forward we need to get corporate money out of politics, strengthen our unions, fairly tax the wealthy – including on their wealth, not just their income -- and raise the minimum wage substantially. The levels of income inequality not only are unfair – they threaten the stability of our democracy.Every day, Donald Trump's presidency threatens the Constitution, the rule of law, and common decency. His disdain for Congress, his cuts to federal funding for education and science, the brutality and lawlessness of ICE and his illegal military adventures put our nation on the edge of authoritarianism.

Democratic leaders must use the courts and every legislative tool they have to stop him. And they must also forcefully use their platform to rally Americans, and American institutions everywhere to the scale of the crisis while giving them the spine to resist.

But the fight against Trumpism will not end with Trump. To pick up the pieces and move forward Democrats must show Americans that are ready to do the work of tackling big problems.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

FIXING OUR BROKEN HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

The United States has the most advanced medical care in the world, but what does it matter if accessing it leaves many Americans facing financial ruin?

Insurance companies post billion-dollar profits, pharmaceutical companies spend millions bribing Congress, and private equity firms gut hospitals that served communities for years.

All the while, most Americans are trapped in an employer-based health insurance model that keeps them in a job that they no longer want and takes thousands of dollars from their wages.

The Affordable Care Act was a start, but we must build on it by fighting for Medicare for All and ensuring the profits are never prioritized over patients’ health.