Editor, Gazette-Journal:
I have been paying attention to the two candidates running for the House of Delegates’ 98th District, including attending the forum held on Oct. 24. While both candidates—Sheila Crowley and Keith Hodges—were polite and followed the rules of the forum, one candidate stood out in the way she answered questions. It was readily obvious that Crowley was well-prepared, informed, concise and clear in her approach to answering and dealing with issues facing the 98th District. I was struck by the way Mr. Hodges repeatedly stated that, “it’s really very complicated,” and then did not answer the question asked. He spoke a great deal about leadership, but did not offer much in the way of clearly answering the questions presented to both candidates.
Crowley, on the other hand, answered each and every question in an obviously researched, informed and thought-out manner. On Medicaid expansion, she answered why it should be enacted, how Virginia will pay for it, and that we need it to cover the health care which 400,000 Virginians currently lack. States that expand Medicaid also receive funds to combat the opioid crisis.
On the opioid crisis, Sheila clearly stated that we deal with this crisis by getting people insurance and getting them into treatment. Mr. Hodges offered prayer. Now, I’m all for prayer; however, a person addicted to opioids primarily needs intense in-patient treatment. The mental health community understands that prayer and talk therapy do not alone solve addiction to opioids and heroin.
On the outrageous cost of medical care, Mr. Hodges wants to take on the pharmaceutical companies in an effort to lower prescription drug prices. There are a couple of problems with this statement: Mr. Hodges only addressed lowering prescription drug prices, not lowering the cost of medical care itself, and he did not give any explanation of how he would address this issue, he only stated that he would. Sheila was again clear and concise in her answer: “Nothing really governs the cost of health care. Moving toward a system similar to Medicare for everyone would be the start of bringing medical costs down.”
On the issue of decriminalizing the use of cannabis, Mr. Hodges’ stated position is that “cannabis is a gateway drug,” leading to the use of harder substances. I would argue that this is simply not the case. Current research suggests otherwise. In fact, current research suggests that cannabis could potentially be used to wean opioid addicts off opioid painkillers.
On the same issue, Sheila Crowley is on the side of using medical marijuana for medical purposes, such as lessening the suffering of cancer patients, something that is already being done. She further went on to say that people shouldn’t wind up in prison for minor drug offenses, which disproportionately affects African Americans and other minorities.
Lastly, Keith Hodges spoke a great deal about leadership, while Sheila Crowley focused on her experience and skills, skills that she can use to serve the 98th District. I will vote for service. I am voting for Sheila Crowley.
Lucy M. Maurer
Hayes, Va.