This is from a guest column in the Des Moines Register yesterday.  David E. Drake is a physician and member of the Volunteer Physician Network.  He declined an invitation from Kim Reynolds for drinks and hors d’oeuvres at the governor’s mansion with a group of other physicians.  He declined because he believes Reynolds and the republican controlled legislature have failed to protect the public health in Iowa. 

Click here to read the entire article.

Government reorganization zaps health board

Under Senate File 514, the State Board of Health is eliminated. It had existed in Iowa for almost 150 years, providing informed regulations and oversight over health facilities and public health across the State. Some of the Board of Health duties are simply eliminated (preventing the spread of disease, promoting health behaviors, and advocating for the importance of public health standards) while others are shifted to a new Council on Health and Human Services that requires only one health professional to serve instead of a majority.

Firearms in Iowa unchecked

A National Public Radio report on May 12 said that “firearms are the number one cause of death for kids and teens … and play a huge role in suicide as well.” In Iowa, military-style weapons are readily available and legal to openly carry; the need for a permit to carry a concealed weapon has been phased out. Public health requires us to legislate against the sales of further offensive guns, as well as high-capacity magazines. We must take action before a mass shooting occurs in Iowa and to prevent shootings in our schools and other areas where teens, students, and the public hang out.  We need to legislate and get beyond “thoughts and prayers.”

The conclusion

No. I will not attend the May 31 evening of drinks and hors d’oeuvres at the governor’s mansion, and I encourage my invited Iowa physician colleagues to do the same. The governor and our current Legislature have failed to protect public health in the state of Iowa. One day when the focus changes to safeguard our public health, I’ll drink to that.

David E. Drake, D.O., provides remote psychiatric services to indigent Iowans and in private practice. Contact:  drakeoffice@gmail.com.