Hometown Hall

State House Candidate Chris Strickland discussed health care at the quarterly meeting of the United Advanced Practice Registered Nurses of Georgia this morning, and explained several policy positions that are central to his candidacy.

At the meeting, Strickland advocated extending prescriptive drug authority for Nurse Practioners, and opposing Medicare and Medicaid funding cuts. Strickland also addressed concerns that special interests such as the Medical Association of Georgia are writing Georgia health care legislation. He vowed not to be influenced by the vast amounts of money that this lobbying group extends to legislators, and promised to be an independent voice for smart health care legislation.

“Georgia has a tremendous work force of Nurse Practioners with advanced education, yet they are limited in their prescriptive authority,” Strickland said. “I believe these advanced medical professionals should have more ability to follow the prescriptive orders of licensed doctors.”

Strickland declared that the current incumbent is ineffective in his handling of Georgia’s health care system. “My opponent believes that the free market is the answer to our health care crisis. Prescriptive drug authority for Nurse Practioners is one example of a free market solution that would help, yet the incumbent refuses to pass meaningful legislation for this oversight,” said Strickland.

As for cuts to Medicaid and Medicare: “We cannot balance the budget on the backs of the less fortunate. Georgia will lose $15.35 in federal matching funds for every $10 that we cut,” said Strickland.

The UAPRN are Registered Nurses that provide high quality health care throughout the state of Georgia. The group advocates accessible and quality health care for all citizens, and educates the public on advanced nursing practices.

Chris Strickland is running against 16 year incumbent James Mills for the state house seat in south Hall County.