This week on Buddy's Briefing

This week on Buddy's Briefing we discuss a busy week in Georgia, improving rural broadband and more.

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Nursing homes should have been protected from COVID-19. Instead, they were given a death order.

Before I was elected to Congress, I worked as a consultant pharmacist for nursing homes for more than 20 years. This week I wrote an op-ed in the Washington Examiner about how nursing homes should have been protected from COVID. Instead, in New York, they were given a death order.

Click here to read it.

Before I was elected to Congress, I worked as a consultant pharmacist for nursing homes and long-term care facilities for more than 20 years.

I reviewed each patient’s medication therapy on a monthly basis, monitored their lab work, made recommendations to physicians for dosage adjustments and drug therapy, and monitored for drug toxicity and interactions. I assisted and instructed nurses in the proper techniques of drug administration and consulted with them when called on for patient-specific concerns. I also consulted with family members and answered their questions about drug therapies for their loved ones.

Tragically, though, nursing homes and long-term care communities are often susceptible to fast-spreading illnesses. One winter, a nursing home I serviced did not order the flu vaccine in time. As a result, nearly 25% of the residents were killed by the virus. This was absolutely devastating, but it’s not an isolated incident.

It is well known how horrific and deadly it can be if a contagious disease is allowed to spread in these facilities, and COVID-19 has been no exception.

When the coronavirus first made its way to our shores from China, it hit nursing homes hard in Washington state. Common protocols to protect the residents of these facilities from outbreaks were thrown to the wayside, and lives were lost.

Shortly after the Washington state outbreak, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an order that forced nursing homes and long-term care facilities to accept COVID-19 positive patients from hospitals.

This was a death order. After that order was issued, COVID-positive residents were admitted back into nursing homes, and the virus spread like wildfire.

It was originally reported that the order resulted in over 8,000 avoidable deaths. Cuomo, of course, denied all responsibility and claimed he was following federal guidance. However, PolitiFact even rated this claim “mostly false.”

It has now come to light that there was a Cuomo cover-up. The New York state attorney general, a Democrat, investigated the Cuomo administration and found that it purposely underreported deaths in long-term care facilities by up to 50%. The attorney general found the nursing home order issued in March actually contributed to more than 12,000 deaths.

Soon after the attorney general’s report was released, Cuomo’s administration finally confirmed that thousands more nursing home residents died of COVID-19 than the state had previously acknowledged.

When asked about the cover-up and his deadly policies, Cuomo heartlessly responded, “who cares” where they died? “They died.”

Knowing the families of the nursing home residents I cared for, I know they would care, just as I’m sure the thousands of families who lost loved ones in New York care. I’m sure they are devastated, and they want and deserve answers.

Throughout the pandemic, the media glorified the governor. He wrote a book about leadership during the pandemic and commissioned a self-aggrandizing poster. He even came all the way down to my hometown of Savannah, Georgia, last year to lecture us on public health. All while his own failed policies were killing people, and his administration was distorting numbers to hide the deaths.

Those responsible must be held accountable. Elderly people died alone, sick with no one to hold their hands or administer last rites. Grieving family members couldn’t even hold funerals to bury the dead. And this was preventable.

Congress must ensure this is never allowed to happen again. Thinking about my patients in nursing homes who I knew over the years, I will do everything in my power to help.

from our nation's capitol CCXCX

Tuesday, February 16, 2021: I’m in Atlanta today and tomorrow as I’m meeting with supporters in the area and visiting the State Capitol. After a morning filled with visits throughout the area as well as a GOP House Budget Committee member call where we discuss developments with the $1.9 trillion COVID package that the Democrats are ramming through Congress without bipartisan input, I head to the State Capitol.

Rep. Carter meeting with Governor Brian Kemp

My first meeting is with Governor Brian Kemp as we discuss a number of issues such as the pandemic relief response including the progress of the vaccination rollout, the legislative session and recent Medicaid developments. Next, I have a meeting with representatives of SK Innovations, the parent company of SK Battery America, that has invested $3.6 billion in a plant in Commerce in Northeast Georgia that will employ 2,600 people, to discuss their progress. The SK Battery America plant in Commerce will manufacture ion batteries to be used in electric vehicles (EV) and is one of the biggest investments ever in the State of Georgia by a foreign company. Afterwards, I head back to the Governor’s office where I witness the swearing in of four members of the Board of Directors of the Georgia Ports Authority, Don Grantham from Augusta, David Cyr from Perry, Alec Poitevint from Bainbridge and Chris Womack from Atlanta.

Rep. Carter with the Board of Directors of the Georgia Ports Authority

Afterwards, I head to more meetings around the area before joining in on an Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee virtual meeting with Health and Human Services (HHS).

Wednesday, February 17, 2021: I’m back at the State Capitol this morning as I host a breakfast for members who represent districts within the First Congressional District and catch up with them on the progress of their work. Afterwards, I head to the State Senate daily pre-meeting where I visit with old friends and offer them encouragement as they endure this stressful session. Next, I have a very productive meeting with Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan as we catch up before he gavels in the State Senate for their daily business.

Rep. Carter addresses the Georgia State Senate

After a visit to the office of my longtime friend, House Majority Leader Rep. Jon Burns (R-Newington), I head to the State Senate where I have the honor of addressing my former colleagues and welcome new members from the First Congressional District, Sen. Billy Hickman (R-Statesboro), Sen. Sheila McNeil (R-Brunswick) and Sen. Russ Goodman (R-Homerville). Next, I head to more visits before joining in on an E&C Communications and Technology (C&T) Subcommittee virtual hearing on broadband solutions to pandemic problems. A link to my questions can be found here.

Thursday, February 18, 2021: After traveling back from Atlanta last night, I’m back in the District this morning and I head to Jesup in Wayne County for a presentation at the Wayne Memorial Hospital where representatives from the afore mentioned SK Battery America are donating 1,000 N-95 respiratory masks to the hospital. A community-oriented company that strives to be a great corporate citizen, SK Battery America wanted to help Georgia communities with much needed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during the pandemic. Needless to say, Wayne Memorial CEO Joe Ierardi was most grateful to receive the much-needed equipment.

Rep. Carter meeting with Jesup Mayor David Earl Keith

After stopping in for a visit with my good friend, Jesup Mayor David Earl Keith, I head to Hinesville in Liberty County to the Liberty Regional Medical Center for another presentation by SK Battery America of 1,000 N-95 respiratory masks. With numerous representatives from the hospital in attendance, SK Battery America presents the much-needed PPE that will certainly be put to good use during the pandemic. While still at the hospital, I record this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing before heading to the monthly meeting of the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce where I am honored to be the guest speaker. After a great visit with this fine group of business leaders, I head back to our Savannah District office.

Rep. Carter at the PPE donation to Liberty Regional Medical Center

During the drive, I join in on a virtual meeting of the conservative Republican Study Committee (RSC) where we hear from former Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, H.R. McMaster. Once back in our Savannah District office, I have an on-camera interview with WJCL-TV in Savannah to discuss current issues before meeting with my good friend, First District Republican Party Chairman Carl Smith. Afterwards, I join in on a GOP Conference call before joining in on a virtual call with Healthcare Leadership Council members as we discuss their legislative priorities for the year. My final call of the day is with my good friend, Dave Barron, Chairman of the bipartisan International Conservation Caucus Foundation (ICCF), a foundation that works to advance U.S. leadership in international conservation through public-private partnerships, awareness-raising among policy-makers, and support for tougher policies on conservation and natural resource management.

Friday, February 19, 2021: After my weekly Band of Brothers bible study in Garden City early this morning, I join in on a virtual meeting with Georgia Equality, the state’s largest organization working to advance fairness, safety and opportunity for LGBTQ communities as they share with me their legislative priorities for the year. Afterwards, I have a virtual call with members of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) to hear of their legislative priorities which primarily revolve around funding for infrastructure projects in our country.