OPINION
THE CHAMPION, THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 8 - 14, 2024 • PAGE 5
GUEST OPINION
A strategic approach to Georgia's nursing shortage: HR 770 paves the way
By State Representatives
Sandra Scott (D-Rex),
Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain) and
Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta)
In the face of Georgia's pressing
nursing shortage, House Resolution
770 emerges as a beacon of hope,
presenting a strategic and forward-
thinking solution. With a critical need
for more healthcare professionals
and an anticipated surge in demand,
this resolution stands poised to
address the state>s healthcare
workforce challenges head-on.
"As a former SSG (U.S. Army),
I know that combat medics have
the training, talents, endurance
and discipline to be great nurses,"
said Scott. "They work with soldiers
suffering from a common cold
to life threatening injuries. They
work long, tedious hours until
their mission is complete. This is
a great opportunity for Georgia
with a nursing shortage and for
the combat medics. Let's do the
right thing Georgia!"
"During Desert Storm, my
journey through nursing school
took a unique turn as I trained to
become a combat nurse," said
Davis. "I went from lab technician
in the military to registered nurse.
House Resolution 770 (HR770)
stands as a commendable effort to
tackle Georgia's nursing shortage
strategically. By harnessing the
expertise of military-trained
individuals, this resolution has the
potential to make a significant
and positive impact on the state's
healthcare workforce."
"Combat medic nurses are
indispensable in addressing three
critical gaps in healthcare - their
rapid response in combat and
disaster scenarios, resource-efficient
triage and treatment and ensuring
healthcare access for remote and
underserved populations," said
Schofield. "At a time like this across
Georgia, they are critical to assisting
medical and healthcare deserts."
One of HR 770's key strengths lies
in its recognition and utilization of
the valuable clinical skills possessed
by military combat medics. These
individuals bring a wealth of experi
ence and training to the table, making
them an invaluable resource in bridg
ing the nursing gap. Their exceptional
expertise can be the driving force
behind a more robust and resilient
healthcare system in Georgia.
Moreover, HR 770 draws inspi
ration from successful programs im
plemented in other states, providing
a roadmap for effective implemen
tation. By building on these proven
models, Georgia can expedite the
integration of military-trained indi
viduals into the nursing profession.
This streamlined pathway not only
addresses the immediate shortage
but also brings diverse perspectives
and experiences to the healthcare
landscape.
However, like any comprehensive
solution, HR 770 is not without its
challenges. The potential for logisti
cal hurdles in implementing such a
program should be acknowledged
and proactively addressed. Addition
ally, effective collaboration between
military and academic institutions
is paramount for the success of this
initiative. Striking a balance between
the unique training provided by the
military and the standards of nursing
education is crucial to ensure a seam
less transition.
In conclusion, HR 770 is a com
mendable effort to strategically tackle
Georgia's nursing shortage. By lever
aging the expertise of military-trained
individuals, this resolution has the po
tential to make a significant and pos
itive impact on the state's healthcare
workforce. As the implementation
process unfolds, stakeholders must
work collaboratively to overcome
challenges, ensuring that the program
maintains the highest standards of
nursing education. In doing so, HR
770 can pave the way for a stronger,
more resilient healthcare system in
Georgia, benefitting both healthcare
providers and the communities they
serve.
A swift win for the Chiefs
It's been seven years since the
Atlanta Falcons blew a 28-3 lead over
the New England Patriots in Super
Bowl 51. After that, except for the
occasionally cute commercial, in
my home, the Super Bowl became
the game that will not be watched,
freeing up more of my time for college
football and the Atlanta United Major
League Soccer franchise, which also
got its start in 2017.
Regardless of your nation of
residence, demographics, etc., you
would have to be hospitalized or in
a coma to be unaware of the hype
around the coming Super Bowl match
between the Kansas City Chiefs and
the San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas,
as well as the even hotter topic
of the budding romance between
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and
singer, songwriter and multi-Grammy
winning artist Taylor Swift.
Swift has been a regular at Chiefs'
games and in the owners' suite this
season. She, of course, does not
control the game cameras, aimed at
her reactions when Kelce scores big
plays or when the Chief's fortunes
change or reverse course on the field
each game. But her cameos in the
stands and off-the-field visibility with
Kelce are driving young women to pay
attention to the NFL, and certainly this
Super Bowl match in 'Lost Wages.'
This Chiefs team won the big
game in 2022 over the Philadelphia
Eagles; they won the Super Bowl in
2020; and they are the defending AFC
League champions from 2023 heading
into this game. Hardly underdog
material.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is the
youngest player to ever win both a
league MVP Award and a Super Bowl
title, as well as the first player this
century to win those twin titles in the
same season.
My two daughters, one 16, and
one just turned 32, are usually not
interested in the same fashions,
trends, or musical artists. Not true
with Taylor Swift. My girls are both
Swifties. Barclay attended the Eras
Tour stop in Atlanta and raved about
the three-plus hour show. Almost
every visit with Olivia includes
multiple versions of her style of
karaoke, singing over Swift's vocals,
and belting out her singles.
The entrepreneur/artist
songwriter was frustrated that for
years major labels and music library
copyright holders would not even take
a meeting with her to discuss selling
her back the rights and royalties to
her songs, written much earlier in
her career. Instead of whining or
complaining, Swift simply activated
her global fan base to no longer
purchase or download the original
songs, CDs, or albums, re-recording
them all, with slightly updated lyrics
or instrumentation, and making each
title again her own. That's the finger
while smiling, singing, and also playing
the guitar.
And yet, those of the MAGA-land
of never-ending conspiracy theories
believe that after Swift performs
at half-time and the Chiefs win a
'rigged' game, the talented songbird
will then sing a love ballad for White
House incumbent Pres. Joe Biden and
endorse his candidacy in 2024. And
even better, that this is all part of a
secret Psy-Op organized by the deep
state to ensure a Biden win.
That also will not be a 'first;'
Swift endorsed Biden during the
2020 campaign. In 2018, she
broke her long-standing stance to
not discuss politics in opposing
then U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn,
Tennessee's GOP nominee for the U.S.
Senate. Blackburn won that race and
serves today in the U.S. Senate.
Trump fans also denigrate
Kelce's appearance in a Pfizer ad
promoting a double dose vaccine of
the flu and COVID-19 boosters, as
then recommended by the CDC. I
guess that former GOP presidential
candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, the
One America News Network, and
activist Laura Loomer still believe
those vaccines carry a secret marker
chip or perhaps the mark of the beast,
in addition to lowering flu and COVID
transmission rates.
I have no horse or team in this
race, but I will join with the millions
of Swift fans hoping for a Swift win by
Kansas City. I will mention that kicker
Harrison Butker, the Chief's kicker
with Atlanta family ties, is also part of
that winning formula and the Chief's
secret sauce. And I will note that this
fall when Swift encouraged her 272
million Instagram followers to register
and then vote, the direct link to the
nonpartisan, nonprofit organization
Vote.org registered almost 32,000
young voters who came straight from
that Swift page in just days. You go,
girl!
Bill Crane is political analyst and
commentator in metro Atlanta, as well
as a columnist for The Champion, DeKalb
Free Press and Georgia Trend. Crane is a
DeKalb native and business owner, living in
Scottdale. You can contact him or comment
on a column at bill.csicrane@gmail.com.
