In my first term, I worked to strengthen and protect access to healthcare with a bill that requires reimbursement for lactation services through MaineCare. This important piece of legislation will ensure that parents who wish to breastfeed have the support they need. Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risk of respiratory diseases, obesity, diabetes and sudden infant death syndrome in infants, while also providing benefits for the breastfeeding parent.

As co-chair of the Commission to Evaluate the Scope of Regulatory Review and Oversight over Health Care Transactions, I helped to created recommendations for improving healthcare. At the conclusion of the Commission’s work, I led legislative efforts to ensure oversight of private equity involvement in healthcare transactions and requiring hospitals to provide at least 120 days notice before closure of maternity services.

Gun safety- I support gun safety legislation. I will work to advance and support gun safety legislation.

Conservation/ Environment/ Climate Change- I will continue to work to ensure state programs and resources continue to be available to address rising sea level changes and more frequent damaging storm events as well as reduce our carbon footprint and protect our natural resources.