Published 3/12/2020
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 12, 2020)—The Political Action Committee of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (the Orthopaedic PAC) has formally endorsed fellow member Knute Buehler, MD, FAAOS, for Congress in Oregon’s Second Congressional District. The former candidate for governor and two-term Oregon House representative is the third AAOS member running for Congress in 2020 that has been endorsed by the Orthopaedic PAC.
“We are proud to support a fellow surgeon with so much leadership experience and dedication to his state,” said AAOS President Kristy L. Weber, MD, FAAOS. “As a lifelong Oregonian, business owner, and legislator, we are confident that Dr. Buehler will bring a strong, thoughtful voice to Congress and the added support we need to continue advancing the Association’s health care priorities.”
Dr. Buehler was born and raised in Roseburg and was among the first in his family to attend college. After graduating from Oregon State University then studying politics and economics at Oxford University, he earned his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1991 where he met his now wife of 29 years, Patty. Dr. Buehler also helped build a patient-focused Orthopedic and Neurosurgery care facility in Bend that employs nearly 300 people.
“What I’ve learned over the last 20 years running a business and replacing hips and knees is that we need less government intervention, more physician leadership in health care,” said Dr. Buehler. “It’s a big part of why I got involved in state politics and committed to making real change for my community. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and look forward to taking these lessons learned to the federal level, where I hope to have an even greater impact on patients throughout the country.”
In the state legislature from 2014 to 2018, Dr. Buehler authored bills to address the opioid crisis and allow for improved recovery after joint replacement procedures among others. He said his top three priorities if elected to Congress will be improving access to care, lowering costs—especially high-cost prescription drugs, and putting an end to the opioid epidemic.
“Dr. Buehler’s legislative record mirrors the advocacy strides we have made as an organization. As a fellow surgeon, we know his priorities will be carried out in the best interest of patients and the physicians who care for them,” said C. Lowry Barnes, MD, American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons First Vice President.
In addition to his ongoing work as a hip and knee surgeon, Dr. Buehler serves on the board of the Oregon State University Foundation and previously the Ford Family Foundation, one of the largest charitable organizations in the state. He also served on the budget committee for the Bend-La Pine School District and the boards of the High Desert Museum, OSU-Cascades Campus, and St. Charles Health System.
###
About the Orthopaedic PAC
The Political Action Committee of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons, or "The Orthopaedic PAC," is the only national political action committee in Washington, D.C., dedicated solely to representing orthopaedic surgeons before Congress. Formed to help advance the legislative agenda of the AAOS and subspecialty orthopaedic groups, the orthopaedic PAC supports candidates for federal office who champion orthopaedic issues. It is nonpartisan and was recently named the 2019 Outstanding Association PAC by the Public Affairs Council.
Contact AAOS Media Relations
Kristen Coultas
202-548-4143
coultas@aaos.org