HEALTH CARE: ER study identifies states shortcomings

Georgias emergency rooms are facing a shortage of specialists, increasing patient need, and policies that create barriers to emergency medical care, according to a just-released report card, Americas Emergency Care Environment, by the American College of Emergency Physicians. Overall, Georgia earned a near-failing grade of D+ for support of emergency care and ranked 29th in the nation.

For Access to Emergency Care (part of the overall grade), Georgia ranked 46th in the nation, reflecting shortages of emergency physicians, neurosurgeons, orthopedists and registered nurses, among others. In addition, the state has too few physicians accepting Medicare patients, a high rate of pedestrian and bicycle fatalities, poor access to mental health care, and a high uninsured rate: 22.2 percent of adults and 10.9 percent of children.

As an ER doctor, I continue to strive to give the highest level of care possible, despite the struggles with the system. However, weaknesses in our emergency care system are not something any of us can afford.

DR. DARRIA LONG GILLESPIE, Assistant Professor, Emory Department of Emergency Medicine

2ND AMENDMENT: UGAs firearms ban may have saved lives

During my 30 years of teaching at the University of Georgia, from 1980 to 2010 and until now, there has not been a single murder by a firearm on our campus. I credit this excellent safety record to the universitys Firearms, Weapons and Explosives Policy.

Allowing students with permits to carry concealed guns is extremely reckless, given the high incidence of gun violence against women in Georgia. According to Georgias 2012 Domestic Violence Fatality Review Report, 46 percent of victims began their relationship with the person who eventually killed them when they were between the ages of 16 and 24.

Would you want to send your daughter into an environment where a rejected boyfriend might kill her with a concealed gun? The excellent safety record on the University of Georgia campus is a case in point that gun restrictions do protect women and save lives.

FRANCES VAN KEUREN, LAWRENCEVILLE

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