Anyone who thinks the Georgia Composite Medical Board isn’t broken should look at how they investigate claims.
In my case, they showed up more than a year later, looked around an Atlanta neonatal intensive care unit, determined they couldn’t verify anything and closed it without any investigation. They didn’t proactively look to talk to those involved, including the person who filed it.
Lawmakers consistently want to spend more on the health industry. What about fixing the Georgia Composite Medical Board?
My investigations have shown that the agency cannot say with any certainty how many cases it dismissed without an investigation. The evidence points to many, if not most or even an overwhelming majority.
No one ever proposes changes that might directly impact Georgians harmed by the medical industry. Instead, it’s always expand, expand, expand. Why not fix the mechanisms we have in place? Give patients a real voice.
I have spoken with several doctors in a personal capacity. After a few questions and blanket denials, they all (ultimately) conclude that health organizations would rather patients sue them.
Why? Because health organizations know they will prevail, either through a verdict or they will beat the patients (figuratively) into submission.
But what about people who want to see real, measurable change? They’re left yelling into the ether, and most, I suspect, give up because the fight can be frustrating — all part of the design.
The ultimate problem is no one in the industry — or those who work with or regulate the industry — will listen. Hence, those in the medical industry who could effect change will never consider helping.
Considering that Georgia ranked fourth on the American Tort Reform Foundation’s new Judicial Hellholes report, why do state leaders effectively force Georgians to hash out their concerns in a court system ill-prepared to handle the claims?
What is the use of a government agency that doesn’t live up to its promise? Why not instead use the conversation about improving health outcomes and making them “equitable” for all patients as an opportunity to improve the Georgia Composite Medical Board, an existing agency that could make a positive difference?
In the wake of my experience, I contacted several Georgia lawmakers. They did nothing to help me and didn’t take my concerns seriously.
I’ve had many personal conversations with policymakers and elected officials in the years since. They (quietly) agree with me, but fixing the Georgia Composite Medical Board isn’t an issue that will take top priority.
That’s reserved for infrastructure or other projects where leaders can send news releases about helping the taxpaying public.
Besides, no one is pouring money into fixing the Georgia Composite Medical Board. Doing so won’t generate headlines, and the media writ large has shown itself incapable — or unwilling — of standing up to highlight simple solutions that could have real-world implications.
