DCMS Meets with Deanne Mazzochi
As DCMS committees continue to hold meetings via Zoom Teleconferencing, District 47 Illinois State Representative Deanne Mazzochi (R-Westmont) met with the DCMS Governmental Affairs Committee in July.An attorney with a strong background in the sciences, Mazzochi is a founding partner of a law firm specializing in life sciences law, particularly patent litigation in the medical/pharmaceutical arena. She drew on her knowledge and experience in addressing with Committee members the COVID-19 pandemic, coronavirus antibody testing, and the likelihood of a viable vaccine.
Affirming the value of evidence-based practices, Mazzochi applauded the DuPage County Health Department's effective reliance on data in managing the pandemic locally. She expressed some regret, however, that the state has not done more data analysis aimed at identifying advantageous treatments or conditions that improve outcomes.
Weighing economic harm against the health risks posed by the virus, Mazzochi agreed with Committee members that it remains difficult to know what practices are best. She expressed concern about virus-exacerbated mental health issues as well as the worse prognoses and deaths that arise from medical care delayed due to virus fears.
Rep. Mazzochi indicated that she supported the liberalization of telehealth rules in Illinois and appreciated reports from Committee members about its continued utility in their practices even as office visits become more practical again. She said she remained concerned about potential negative implications the use of telehealth might present with risk evaluation and mitigation strategies (REMS).