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Good jobs, secure families, strong communities
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Dear Friend,
With seven weeks before our scheduled adjournment for this session, the days are packed with public hearings and work sessions as our committees consider important pieces of legislation. But in order to be successful and truly represent you, we need your input. From testifying at a public hearing to submitting a letter to the editor or simply posting on Facebook about an issue you care about, making your voice heard matters. You can access our weekly schedule here and you can always contact my office to ask questions and get more information. And of course, our Facebook and Twitter is updated often.
I'm looking forward to spending the next few months working hard on your behalf in the State House - and I hope to see you here!
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Patients First Health Care Legislation
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 Earlier this month, we stood side by side with patients and health care providers to put forward our Patients First health care package: four bills that seek to fix some of the most common and troublesome health care problems facing Mainers today.
This package of legislation is about giving Mainers an advocate who is on their side. It’s making sure that life-saving medication like insulin is affordable for those who need it. It’s about creating a medical billing system that holds no surprises and works for everyday Mainers. And it’s about leveraging Mainers power to drive down the costs for all of us.
I had the opportunity to write a column about my experience growing up as the daughter of two medical professionals and why fixing our health care system is so personally important to me. You can read it here.
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 In one week, polls will be open for a statewide referendum and a presidential party primary. In-person absentee voting is now available at your town office, but only until IT CLOSES TODAY. If you can't make it by then, you'll need to vote on March 3.
Here in Freeport, the polls will be open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm at the Freeport High School Gymnasium. In Pownal, you can vote at Mallett Hall on 429 Hallowell Road. If you reside in any other part of Maine, visit this website to find your polling location and see a sample ballot.
For more detailed information, visit the Secretary of State's website. Voting is an essential part of our democracy and I encourage you to make your voice heard.
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It All Starts With Family Planning
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Regardless of where you live or what you earn, access to reproductive health care and family planning is essential. In fact, it is exactly why a federal program called Title X program was established in 1970 - with the admirable goal of giving people equal access to care, no matter what their income.
Until last year, this funding successfully supported a network of 50 health care providers across the state, rural to urban, serving more than 23,000 patients each year. And for many of these patients, at a critical time in their lives, it is the only health care they receive.
However, in February of 2019, the federal government announced a set of changes to Title X known collectively as the Domestic Gag Rule. These new rules prevented health care providers from doing their jobs and providing ethical, evidenced based care and advice, effectively forcing them out of the program and leaving them with a funding shortfall of $2 million dollars.
I knew we couldn't let that stand here in Maine. So I sponsored a bill to restore this funding and ensure that we empower all Mainers to build the lives and families they envision, to decide when and whether to become a parent, and to pursue educational and career goals on their own timelines. The bill passed out of committee and will head to the floor of the House and Senate in the upcoming weeks. I will always protect and expand access to reproductive care and I'm confident that this vital health care will continue.
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Unclaimed Property - What are you missing?
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Each and every year, tens of millions of dollars go unclaimed by Maine residents. These financial assets are turned over by thousands of national and local businesses and organizations. Our State Treasurer's office holds these assets, free of charge, until claimed by the owner or heir. It is so easy to use this website to search your name, your business, and the name of your friends and family. Visit today and see what you might be missing!
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Thanks for all of your support and being an engaged and active participant in our democracy. As always, it is an honor to represent you in Augusta.
Best,
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