State Rep. Kim Schofield
Just over 20 years ago, I received a diagnosis that would change my life forever. When I was told I had lupus, I did not know what to expect, how it would change my daily routine, or how to navigate its many persistent symptoms. I was even further disheartened to find that there was no cure for it, meaning I would have to endure the pains of lupus for the rest of my life.
Many Georgians find themselves in the same position—faced with challenges from chronic or severe diseases that introduce new daily struggles into their lives and the families that support them. For their sake, there is a clear and pressing need to improve access to consistent, high-quality care in Georgia. Yet, that goal is certainly not the reality for the Peach State, as we have one of the worst-ranked state healthcare systems in the country based on quality and accessibility. As a result, too many in our state find our system either too costly or otherwise inaccessible due to factors like distance or other sociodemographic considerations, especially in the rural parts of Georgia.
As someone impacted by a chronic condition, I have worked throughout my career to remove barriers to accessing care for those who share the same difficulties. This path has led me to the Georgia House of Representatives, where I proudly serve District 63. In my time here, I have fought for policies like introducing a grant program to encourage physicians to practice in underserved areas of the state and to expand Medicaid. This year I have introduced HR41, a resolution asking Congress to reduce the waiting period for the determination and approval of disability benefits for individuals living with lupus. So many cannot afford to wait.
In this moment of rapid change and innovation, both in and out of the healthcare field, the time has come for lawmakers to adopt a new approach that promises to transform the industry for the better and improve and expand access to care by embracing technological innovation.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has made waves in nearly every industry in Georgia, including our healthcare system. As our state’s House and Senate subcommittees learned this summer, providers like Emory Healthcare are already wielding AI to support healthcare workers with clerical tasks, such as updating patient paperwork—a move that will undoubtedly reduce the concerning levels of physician burnout seen in the field.
However, what is perhaps more exciting about AI goes far beyond what it is capable of now. As it has evolved at a breakneck rate of innovation, countless studies show that it can help with far more, including improving diagnostic accuracy and finding new ways to expand access to care, such as through enhanced remote options. For me, one of the most promising advances offered by AI is its ability to expedite and lower costs in the drug discovery process, which could ultimately lead to us finding cures for chronic conditions like lupus and other afflictions.
With such promising advances on the horizon, we find ourselves in a critical moment. The legislation we consider this session could singlehandedly determine the future of AI innovation and adoption in Georgia. We must take time to study the issue and lead from an educated and balanced viewpoint rather than through fear of the unknown.
I look forward to working with my colleagues in the coming months to establish a pragmatic agenda for AI that balances the need for sensible guidelines with the unprecedented opportunity its innovation could provide for patients across Georgia.
State Representative Kim Schofield serves House District 63 and is a member of The Committee on Health and Human Services. She also serves as the advocacy chair for the Georgia Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America.
