In this episode of The Empower Podcast, host Grant Callen sits down with State Representative Sam Creekmore, chairman of the House Public Health and Human Services Committee, for a wide-ranging conversation about the major healthcare issues facing Mississippi. From certificate of need reform and rural hospital access to mental health, ibogaine research, and scope of practice, Creekmore explains how he is thinking through the state's most pressing health policy debates. He reflects on how his personal experiences and conversations with families affected by addiction have shaped his legislative priorities. He also discusses the role of innovation in Mississippi policymaking, the challenges of legislating in a complicated healthcare system, and why he believes the state must be willing to tackle hard problems if it wants a healthier future.