A Case of Murder and EHRs -- Chapter Four
A Case of Murder and EHRs
Copyright 2007 by Peter J. Groen and Jaime Nasuti.
Published with permission of the co-authors.
CHAPTER FOUR
As his presidential campaign progressed, Congressman Martin began to feel the mental and physical strain on his body. Recounting stories of the victims of Hurricane Katrina, along with his personal tragedy, Stan tried to keep his detractors at bay. His push for national health care hit roadblocks at every turn from lobbyists of the American Medical Association (AMA) and the pharmaceutical and insurance industries. If he could only convince the American people of the overwhelming benefits of EHRs, he might just win this race.
His conservative opponent was putting up a good fight. They seemed to agree on most political issues except health care, and the Congressman was seeing how the lack of financial backing from the health care industries was hurting his campaign. But Stan believed so much in the need for a better national health care solution and the use of EHRs, he had to persevere.
It was while speaking at an outdoor rally at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, that Congressman Martin began to feel the ill effects of the summer heat and humidity. He visibly struggled to complete his speech and then quickly headed for his limousine. He felt overheated, like he was having a heart attack. As he climbed into his limo, he told his campaign manager and head of security he needed to get to a hospital. The closest hospital emergency room was at the nearby VA Medical Center in Martinsburg.
Concerned for his charge, the head of his Secret Service security detail called ahead and asked to speak to the director of the VA Medical Center.