That is not efficient. That is not good. And the scientists [need to] know that our decisions and strategies are based on accurate information and accurate assumptions, as well.
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ACEP Now: Vol 41 – No 09 – September 2022The other thing that we need to really focus on is modernization of that data, standardization of that data, and making it efficient through electronic records to provide that data to the CDC, without burdening physicians. The second issue is focusing on our workforce. We need to bolster our supply of epidemiologists. We need to bolster our supply of community health workers, our public health workers, to be in the field, to collect data, to provide the programs that are necessary in order to combat this pandemic.
Representative Rich McCormick, MD
Twitter: @richforga
Why did you decide to run for Congress in the first place?
Dr. McCormick: What originally got me in into this fight was going down to the state capitol with the Medical Association of Georgia, which is a bipartisan group of doctors that were just trying to solve a problem with surprise billing. I went down there and actually got mad at my own party. Some people that were blocking good legislation backed by patient advocacy groups and backed by a bipartisan group of doctors just trying to do the right thing for the patient. We realized that there was something to be done. And they asked if I’d be willing to run. And it kind of cascaded from there. Originally, I was asked to run for state senator, but that very quickly escalated. And it’s amazing to have a guy who literally had no background in politics—no connections, didn’t know one politician three years ago—to now be the nomination for one of the most hotly contested races in America.
How do you view ACEP’s policy on firearm safety and injury prevention, which includes universal background checks for all firearm transactions, including private sales and transfers.
Dr. McCormick: We can’t avoid the fact that this is a mental health issue. This is a parenting issue. This is a schooling issue. This is a cultural issue. Making a law is not going solve that.
We have a much deeper problem in America than our laws, but we have a real mental health crisis that we need to address because quite frankly, that’s where most of gun deaths come from: suicides.
How are you best suited to solve our nation’s problems in Congress?
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