I’m an emergency physician. I know Dr. Prasanth Reddy has it right about health care | Opinion

I was alarmed by a recent Star guest commentary that leveled a number of false attacks against Dr. Prasanth Reddy. The attacks couldn’t be further from the truth, and with Election Day only a few short days away, I’m writing to set the record straight.

First, in their lone debate, Reddy challenged Rep. Sharice Davids to name a single pharmaceutical company that’s given a cent to his campaign for Congress. Instead of answering a direct question, she hemmed and hawed — one of the few things politicians seem to be good at.

The reason Davids didn’t answer the question is easy: Reddy’s campaign hasn’t received any donations from the top 100 pharmaceutical companies. Answering the question would have conceded the point.

Second, the commentary gave the impression Reddy opposes health care reforms. As he said in the debate, Reddy believes that capping the price of insulin was not only reasonable, but the right thing to do.

Unlike Davids, however, Reddy has spent his career working in medicine.

He knows from firsthand experience that one-size-fits-all solutions and excessive regulations are guaranteed to cripple medical innovation and delay lifesaving cures. Innovation in the cancer medicine space has kept many cancer patients alive, and sometimes led to remission.

Many of the policies Davids supports would cripple the innovation needed to wipe out cancer for good.

Third, the guest commentator’s piece asked a rhetorical question: Does Reddy sound “like someone who fights for everyday Kansans”?

I know Dr. Reddy, and I know he loves our community, our state, and our country.

As a cancer physician, he’s treated patients dealing with the worst circumstances. He takes the time to get to know his patients, he listens to them, and he empathetically works with them to deliver the best treatment possible.

As a researcher, Reddy has been on the forefront of medicinal innovation that will save lives for years to come.

Finally, in the aftermath of 9/11, Reddy was inspired to serve the country that had given him and his family so much. He enlisted in the Air Force Reserve, where he still serves today as a lieutenant colonel.

As an Army colonel and as an emergency medicine physician, I understand, and respect Reddy‘s commitment and dedication to his patients, the community and our nation. That’s a record of service. Contrast it with the job Davids has done for us in Congress.

Her ads talk a big game about lowering costs for Kansas families. That’s funny, considering Davids voted for the 2021 spending bill that accelerated inflation in the first place. And on top of that vote, Davids has supported her party’s economic agenda virtually 100% of the time.

Families here pay the price for her votes in D.C. every time they go to the grocery store, the gas station, or pay their cost of living bills.

Furthermore, you can’t fight for Kansans if you don’t show up in Kansas.

I’m appalled by Rep. Davids’ total absence on the campaign trail this fall. She skipped a debate hosted by the NAACP. She agreed to attend a forum hosted by the Ottawa Chamber — only after concessions were made that she would take no questions from the audience. But did she actually show up? No. She bailed hours before start time.

The few events Davids does show up for are scripted and closed to the public. Here in Kansas, she’s running a campaign of slick ads and photo ops — not one that’s answering tough questions from voters about her record.

As it turns out, Davids is spending most of her time running for a House leadership position. She’s voted for her party’s agenda all the time, ignored her own voters, and now she thinks she’s earned a promotion — all while spreading smears against Reddy’s lifetime of service.

If you ask me, that sums up what’s been wrong with Congress for years. Davids has had six years to make a difference for us. If she’d made a difference, she’d be in her district talking about it. Instead, she’s everywhere but here and letting her consultants run a campaign of falsehoods.

I’m choosing a different direction for Kansas’ 3rd District on Tuesday, and I hope you’ll join me in voting for Dr. Prasanth Reddy.