Physicians Endorse Deal in Gubernatorial Runoff

The Georgia Medical Political Action Committee (GAMPAC), which is the Medical Association of Georgia’s (MAG) political action committee, has endorsed Nathan Deal in the August 10 Republican primary runoff election for the gubernatorial race in Georgia.

“Nathan Deal has earned his reputation as an intellectual champion for patients and physicians in Georgia over a long period of time,” says GAMPAC Chairman Jack M. Chapman Jr., M.D. “And he genuinely understands the issues that matter to physicians, including tort reform and insurance reform and Medicaid funding.”

Dr. Chapman also stresses that, “Nathan Deal knows that there is a direct relationship between the medical practice environment and ensuring that our patients have access to the medical care they need.”

Dr. Chapman points out that Deal opposed the Clinton administration’s health reform proposal, and he says that Deal fought against the just-passed health reform law “at every turn” in his capacity as the leading Republican of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health.

“Nathan Deal understands that the new law gives the federal government too much power when it comes to our health care decisions,” Dr. Chapman says. “And he knows that it’s financially unsustainable.” The Gainesville-based ophthalmologist says physicians are confident that Deal, as governor, will take steps to mitigate the effects of the new federal legislation at the state level in the legal and legislative advocacy arenas.

MAG recognized Deal with The Kaufmann Award for outstanding government service in 1998, while the American Medical Association gave him the Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service in 2009.

“The bottom line is that Nathan Deal has been an effective advocate for both physicians and patients in Georgia,” concludes Dr. Chapman. “It is imperative that we support him in his bid for governor if we hope to achieve our vision for health care in this state.”

GAMPAC is encouraging patients and physicians to visit www.nathandeal.org for additional information and to support Deal with a campaign contribution.