Governor Abercrombie Named to National Governors Association Health and Homeland Security Committee

News Release from www.Hawaii.gov/gov September 6, 2012

HONOLULU — Governor Neil Abercrombie will serve on the National Governors Association (NGA) Health and Homeland Security Committee. The Health and Homeland Security Committee handles issues dealing with health care, particularly as they relate to Medicaid, and federal-state safety net programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance and other social services. The committee also has jurisdiction over homeland security, the National Guard and veterans’ affairs. Members of the committee ensure that the governors’ views are represented in the shaping of federal policy. 

Governor Abercrombie is in North Carolina attending the Democratic Governors Association meeting as well as the Democratic National Convention.  The NGA announced its committees for the 2012 – 2013 year today.

“My role on this committee is beneficial to the work that we are doing in the State of Hawai'i,” stated Governor Abercrombie. “As governors, we are uniquely positioned to influence federal legislation and regulations that affect both health care policies and the safety and security of our nation. I look forward to serving in this capacity.”

Governor Abercrombie brings to the committee the additional influence of his long-time congressional career in which he built lasting relationships. His service on the NGA Health and Homeland Security Committee will complement Governor Abercrombie’s work in his New Day Plan vision for healthcare transformation. He has also been working to strengthen his Administration’s relationship with our military forces and this committee will aid in that. 

Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley will serve as chair of the committee, and Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval will serve as vice chair. Other members include: Alabama Governor Robert Bentley, American Samoa Governor Togiola Tulafono, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton, New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber and Washington Governor Chris Gregoire.

Founded in 1908, NGA is the collective voice of the nation’s governors and one of Washington, D.C.’s most respected public policy organizations. Its members are the governors of the 55 states, territories and commonwealths. NGA provides governors and their senior staff members with services that range from representing states on Capitol Hill and before the Obama Administration on key federal issues to developing and implementing innovative solutions to public policy challenges through the NGA Center for Best Practices. For more information, visit www.nga.org.

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