FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 2020
Kuster Announces Health Care Leadership Council
(Concord, NH) – Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster is announcing her Health Care Leadership Council ahead of the 2020 General Election. Kuster has been a champion for strengthening access to health care and supporting New Hampshire’s health care system during her time in Congress. This year, the House of Representatives passed her legislation, the Protecting Americans with Preexisting Conditions Act, to ensure those with pre-existing conditions are covered by their insurance. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Annie has supported bipartisan efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and bring much needed relief to Granite State hospitals. Annie is the founder of the Bipartisan Opioid Task Force which has helped to drive legislative action to combat the opioid epidemic delivering more than $425 million in funding to New Hampshire. Congresswoman Kuster's Health Care Leadership Council includes health care professionals from across specialties and the Granite State.
The Health Care Leadership Council Co-Chairs include:
BJ Bockenhauer, Registered Nurse and Psychiatric and Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (PMHCNS-BC) (Concord)
Rep. Polly Campion, MS, RN NH State Representative, Grafton District 12 (Hanover)
Charlie Cotton, Retired Regional Community Mental Health Administrator, Clinical Social Worker (Lancaster)
Rebecca Ewing, OB/GYN (Hopkinton)
Nicole Fodrey, Nurse, LICSW, MLADC (Litchfield)
Rob Friedlander, MD (Concord)
Marie Ramas, Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians (FAAFP) (Hollis)
Molly Rossignol, Addiction Medicine, Substance Abuse Disorders Doctor (DO, FAAFP, FASAM) (Hopkinton)
Mary Sanford, Nurse Practitioner (Pelham)
Alejandro Urrutia, MD and medical researcher (Hudson)
Joan Widmer, Retired Emergency Room Nurse, (Amherst)
"It's an honor to have the support of this incredible group of health care workers in the Granite State," said Annie Kuster. "This pandemic has put our health care system to the test, and it is going to take a continued coordinated effort between those on the ground and those in office to ensure we build back better, and that we do so safely. I look forward to continuing this important work and fighting to ensure that no one's access to their health care is cut off as we recover from COVID-19."
"As a retired reproductive health care professional, I've seen first hand the importance of a woman having access to the full slate of reproductive care, and I've seen the toll that government interference in reproductive decisions can have on individuals and families," said Rebecca Ewing, a retired New Hampshire OB/GYN. "Annie Kuster has been a champion for women's reproductive rights throughout her time in Congress. As an adoption attorney for 25 years, she knows that women's autonomy is critical, especially when it comes to their health care, and she's fought hard so that women have access to the birth control and reproductive care they need. I'm so glad that we have such a fierce reproductive rights advocate fighting for us in Congress."
"Congresswoman Kuster's continued leadership on the Bipartisan Opioid Task Force is essential if we have any hope of combatting fatal overdoses in the U.S. in general, and the Granite State in particular," said Nicole Fordey, a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and Masters Licensed Alcohol and other Drug Counselor (LICSW/MLADC). "Congresswoman Kuster has demonstrated how we all must evolve in our opinions on substance use disorder, embrace harm reduction strategies where appropriate, and make sure that the human lives, worth, and dignity are not lost in the rush to rely on personal responsibility and law and order. Substance use is a public health issue, not a criminal justice issue, and Rep. Kuster understands that. I know that Rep. Kuster is the only choice in this race that will fight to protect the many Granite Staters who need quality and affordable care."
"As a retired regional community mental health administrator who was responsible for mental health, substance abuse treatment, developmental services, early childhood, and prevention services in Northern NH, I saw first hand what the opioid epidemic has done to our communities and I know how crucial it is that we work to address it," said Charlie Cotton, a retired Clinical Social Worker. "Annie Kuster is leading the fight in Congress against the opioid epidemic. As the founder of the Bipartisan Opioid Task Force, Annie has been a driver of legislative efforts to expand access to treatment and recovery for individuals with substance use disorder. Annie fought in Washington for $5 billion in funding to address the opioid epidemic, she's brought much needed attention to substance use on Capitol Hill, and she has delivered life saving services and funding to the Granite State. Annie has worked across the aisle to bolster prevention efforts and access to long-term treatment and recovery, and it's important for our communities and our state that this important work continues."
"I am honored to support the re-election of Congresswoman Kuster," said Joan Widmer, a retired Emergency Room nurse. "When I worked as an emergency room nurse, I witnessed the fear and uncertainty of patients who were unable to afford medicine and routine care due to lack of insurance. Congresswoman Kuster's support of the Affordable Care Act, legislation to reduce the costs of prescription medications and legislation to support families during the COVID-19 pandemic is why I am voting for Annie Kuster."
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