Congressman Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-Ga.) and members of the GOP Doctors Caucus wrote to President Biden and COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeffrey Zients urging them to work with governors to get students back in the classroom as quickly as possible.
“Many children rely on their schools for key socialization, education, and nutritional health services. The abrupt transition to exclusively virtual learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically impacted the developmental, emotional, and mental health of school-aged children,” the members wrote.
“Being Members of Congress with medical backgrounds and direct patient care experience, we remain concerned for the health and education of our children if they cannot return to their classrooms. We are encouraged that your Administration appears to share this goal. With this in mind, we request that you follow the science and work with all governors to take the known necessary, reasonable safety measures to resume in-person learning.”
In addition to Carter, the following GOP Doctors Caucus members signed on to the letter: Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01), Brad Wenstrup, D.P.M. (OH-02), Michael Burgess, M.D., (TX-26), Brian Babin, D.D.S. (TX-36), Larry Bucshon, M.D. (IN-08), Neal Dunn, M.D. (FL-02), Drew Ferguson, D.M.D. (GA-03), Mark Green, M.D. (TN-07), Paul Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04), Diana Harshbarger, Pharm.D. (TN-01), Ronny Jackson, M.D. (TX-13), John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D. (IA-02), Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03), Jefferson Van Drew, D.D.S. (NJ-02).
The GOP Doctors Caucus is comprised of Republican Members of Congress with medical and health care provider backgrounds who utilize their medical expertise and experience to develop patient-centered health care policy.