Letter To The Editor Greeneville Sun

Dear Sir;

January 25, 2025 Greeneville Sun’s Opinion Section had an article from Representative David Hawk. I appreciate his desire to provide better solutions for health care in Tennessee; especially health care in northeast Tennessee. Hospital closings and fewer health care providers have been a valid concern in our area. Even more of a concern is Ballad Health’s bleak record on goals and requirements related to quality of care. Their ratings have been dismal.  

I do however question his statement “I am committed to ensuring that everyone in Tennessee,,,have the greatest possible access to quality care.”  He also states “I fight every day in the Tennessee House to ensure the health of all Tennesseans.” However, his voting record on women’s healthcare and the LGBTQ+ community proof otherwise. In 2023 20% of the population in Tennessee were women between the age of 15 and 44. A 2018 study shows 4% of the population is LGBTQ+. I am sure that percentage would be higher today. That is a large population of Tennesseans whose healthcare Representative Hawk has not fought for, but in fact has fought against. His votes have made it more difficult for those populations to obtain the appropriate healthcare they need. I ask Representative Hawk to put his words into action and fight to provide needed healthcare to truly ALL Tennesseans.

Jeff Farr

Greeneville, TN