Healthy Kids Need Healthy Policy: The Case for Advocacy with Senate Hopeful and Pediatrician Dr. Annie Andrews

What happens when politics ignores kids? Pediatrician and South Carolina Senate hopeful Dr. Annie Andrews joins me to talk about why children’s health depends on more than just doctor’s visits - it depends on the policies shaping their lives. From Medicaid cuts to paid leave, gun safety, and the cost of insulin, Dr. Andrews explains why neutrality in medicine isn’t an option and why pediatricians, and parents, have a responsibility to speak up.

We discuss:

• Why Dr. Andrews made the leap from pediatrics to politics

• How policies like Medicaid cuts directly hurt children, families, and the health care system

• Why pediatricians and parents need to get louder in advocacy

• How healthcare has become political and why we need to be louder for our kids’ future 

• The child tax credit and other policies that could transform children’s futures

• How better policy can prevent burnout among doctors and improve care for every family

To connect with Dr. Annie Andrews follow her on Instagram @annieandrewsmd, check out all her resources at https://drannieandrews.com/

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00:00 – Why Advocacy Alone Isn’t Enough 01:11 – Politics Is Already in Our Lane 02:32 – Meet Dr. Annie Andrews: Pediatrician, Mom, Senate Hopeful 04:04 – From Clinic to Campaign: Why She Ran 07:06 – Kids Left Behind in Red vs. Blue States 09:30 – Why Staying Neutral Can Hurt Kids 12:22 – Advocacy vs. Politics: What Really Creates Change 15:26 – Looking Ahead: Policy Priorities if Elected 16:50 – Medicaid Cuts and What They Mean for Families 22:02 – How Cuts Affect Doctors, Patients, and the Whole System 25:14 – Burnout, Reimbursement, and a Broken System 28:15 – Why Pediatricians Must Step Into Politics 30:17 – Fixing the Workforce Crisis in Pediatrics 33:52 – Final Call to Action: Getting Loud for Kids 35:30 – How to Connect With Dr. Annie Andrews 38:21 – Closing Thoughts: Hope Through Action

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