Virtual Testimony Storyteller: Dr. Anita Somani
Dr. Anita Somani, member of the Physicians Action Network
Dr. Anita Somani calls on legislative leaders to make virtual testimony available for all hearings and explains that Ohio lawmakers have a responsibility to ensure citizens are not forced to choose between our health & safety in a pandemic or making our voices heard on important issues at the Statehouse.
Photo courtesy of Dr. Anita Somani
“Despite people having an interest in testifying at the Statehouse, they are kept from doing so for fear of being unsafe and putting their health at risk.”
Why is virtual testimony important?
Do you remember where you were when Ohio shut down? It was Tuesday March 17th, St Patrick’s Day and I was at the office seeing patients. It was also the day my daughter took Part I of her Boards to become a licensed physician. It is a 3-part test and she was told that the center would not be able to do the second part the following Tuesday because of the Governor’s mandate. Needless to say, she was devastated. How many lives were changed this past year because of Covid?
Our medical students were told they would have to learn virtually because we didn’t know if Covid would kill them while they rounded on patients. All of the elective surgeries I do were put on hold which meant patients in pain or with non-cancerous conditions had to wait until we could operate again. Fortunately, the insurance companies and legislators agreed to pay for telemedicine so we could provide care to our patients virtually. Sometimes that virtual care was only to listen or to check in on them and other times it was to say we think you need to go to the hospital or be seen in person.
“There are so many healthcare bills that physicians would love to testify about but the last-minute scheduling that currently happens and the lack of a mask mandate within the Statehouse make it nearly impossible.” - Dr. Anita Somani
As time went on Ohio opened up gradually but as physicians we erred on the side of caution and continued to offer care virtually. We are now almost a year into this pandemic, and we are still doing many things virtually. I have attended CME events on Cisco, given lectures on Google Groups, attended concerts and wine tastings on Zoom, celebrated birthdays and weddings on Zoom and even given a deposition on Zoom.
As you all know we are still in the midst of a pandemic and the number of daily cases and deaths reflects the reality that Covid is not going to disappear just because it is 2021. During the lockdown in Congress, people were forced into close quarters and because there was no mask mandate 3 legislators ended up testing positive. We are sure to see more reports of positive cases as a result of those riots.
🤍 Ohio medical professionals express their appreciation for @DrAmyActon at the Statehouse today (all while maintaining a safe physical distance!)
— All In For Ohio (@AllInForOhio) May 3, 2020
Sound on 🔈#AllInforOhio #InThisTogetherOhio @PhysiciansAN pic.twitter.com/Dzd68AeSxV
So what does all this have to do with virtual testimony in Ohio? Despite people having an interest in testifying at the Statehouse, they are kept from doing so for fear of being unsafe and putting their health at risk. There are so many healthcare bills that physicians would love to testify about but the last-minute scheduling that currently happens and the lack of a mask mandate within the Statehouse make it nearly impossible. Other professionals and average citizens are impacted by the bills that our legislators pass without having the opportunity to voice their concerns.
In 2021, the 134th Ohio General Assembly under the leadership of Senate President Huffman and House Speaker Cupp have the opportunity to make immediate changes to help minimize the transmission of COVID-19 as well as ensure safe and equitable access to the legislative process by implementing virtual engagement options for hearings and testimony. Two immediate changes they can implement are to allow virtual testimony for all legislative hearings and to require masks be worn by everyone within the Statehouse.
Members of Physicians Action Network demonstrate in support of now-former Ohio Health Director Dr. Amy Acton outside the Statehouse in Downtown Columbus, Ohio on May 3, 2020
Virtual testimony is a commonsense way to make our legislative process more safe, transparent, and accessible for all of us.
Here are two ways you can add your voice to the growing calls for virtual testimony at the Statehouse -
Learn more & share this story about the 75 organizations calling for Statehouse leaders to implement virtual testimony on social media.
Contact your lawmakers and urge them to make virtual testimony available for all legislative committee hearings using this tool from our partners at All On The Line.
