Sgambati 4 Senate

NH Veterans Home Will Hold Candidates’ Forum on Wednesday, October 29

New Hampshire Veterans Home NEWS RELEASE

139 Winter Street FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tilton, NH 03276 October 28, 2008

Contact: Jackie Bonafide, Program Information Officer

Phone: (603) 527-4400

SUBJECT: NH Veterans Home Will Hold Candidates’ Forum on Wednesday, October 29

TILTON, NH – The New Hampshire Veterans Home (NHVH) will hold a Candidates’ Forum on Wednesday, October 29, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM in the Home’s Great Room. The program is open to the public and there is no admission fee.

Candidates for congressional seats (US Senate; US House of Representatives), state offices (Governor, Executive Council, and candidates for NH State Senate, the House of Representatives, as well as candidates for County Attorney and Sheriff in districts serving Belknap and Merrimack counties) have been invited. NHVH residents, staff, family, friends, and community members are welcome.

Each candidate will have a chance to speak for two minutes, a question and answer period will follow, and then audience members and candidates will be able to talk informally and enjoy refreshments. The Forum will be moderated by Pat Clark. For more information on the Candidates’ Forum, please contact the New Hampshire Veterans Home at 527-4400.

The following candidates plan on attending the Candidates Forum:

Candidate for United States Senator: Jeanne Shaheen will be represented by her husband, Bill Shaheen

Candidate for United States Senator: John E. Sununu will be represented by his father, former NH Governor John H. Sununu

Candidate for United States Senator: Ken Blevins

Candidate for Representative in Congress: Carol Shea-Porter

Candidate for Representative in Congress: Jeb Bradley is unable to attend but will be represented by Rep. Al Baldasaro.

Candidate for Representative in Congress: Chester Lapointe II

Candidate for Representative in Congress: Jennifer Horn is unable to attend but will send a representative.

Candidate for Executive Councilor: Raymond S. Burton

Candidate for Executive Councilor: John D. Shea

Candidate for State Senator: Kathleen Sgambati

Candidate for State Senator: Harold Janeway

Candidate for State Senator: Gregory Knytych

Candidate for State Senator: Andy Sanborn

Candidate for State Rep from Belknap County: Liz Merry

Candidate for State Rep from Belknap County: Stan Robinson

Candidate for State Rep from Belknap County: Dennis Fields

Candidate for State Rep from Belknap County: R. Larry Scott

Candidate for State Rep from Merrimack County: Tim Chrysostom

Candidate for State Rep from Merrimack County: Claire Clarke

Candidate for State Rep from Merrimack County: Joy Tilton

Candidate for State Rep from Merrimack County: Deborah Wheeler

Candidate for State Rep from Merrimack County: Jennifer Coffey

Candidate for State Rep from Merrimack County: Priscilla Parmenter Lockwood will be represented by her husband, Robert Lockwood

Candidate for State Rep from Merrimack County: Jared King

Candidate for Merrimack County Sheriff: Scott Hilliard

Candidate for Belknap County Attorney: James Carroll

Candidate for Merrimack County Attorney: Katherine Rogers

Candidate for Merrimack County Attorney: Tom Reid

The New Hampshire Veterans Home was established in Tilton in 1890 as the Soldier’s Home for Civil War Veterans. One of just four New Hampshire nursing homes to win the 2007 Quality of Life Award from the NH Department of Health & Human Services, the modern facility is home to men and women who have served their country and fellow New Hampshire citizens. The mission of NHVH is to provide high quality, professional long-term care services to the Granite State’s elderly and disabled veterans. NHVH is the only long-term care facility in the Granite State that is dedicated exclusively to veterans.

SENATOR SGAMBATI RECEIVES AWARD FOR ADVOCACY FOR CHILDREN

SENATOR SGAMBATI RECEIVES AWARD FOR ADVOCACY FOR CHILDREN

CONCORD – Family Support New Hampshire has selected Senator Kathleen Sgambati (D-Tilton) to receive its 2008 Dr. Robert Chamberlin Award. The award will be presented to her on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at the organization’s annual meeting.

New Hampshire Fire Fighters Endorse Sgambati

Londonderry, NH – The Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire (PFFNH) endorsed Kathy Sgambati for Re-Election as New Hampshire's State Senator for District 4. At the Tilton Fire Station on Friday, firefighters from Gilford, Tilton and Laconia gathered for the announcement. "We will be there every step of the way for Kathy because she's always been there when the fire fighters of this district and state needed her," IAFF Local President Brad Ober said.

In his remarks PFFNH President Dave Lang said, "Kathy Sgambati has a proven record of support for New Hampshire's fire fighters and for protecting the communities they serve. We support those who support us, and Kathy Sgambati has always supported our fire fighters," PFFNH President Dave Lang said.

David Lang also spoke of a special connection with Senator Sgambati as they were both in Washington DC on September 11th. He said "Kathy and I were stranded in Washington, and spent long hours watching the news in the Watergate hotel, sharing quiet conversation and tears as we learned of how many firefighters and citizens were lost in the attack. Many more brothers would perish in trying to save others."

Senator Sgambati said that day we learned to appreciate the heroes that work in our fire stations. "While we can often take their services for granted, we are totally dependent on their skill when an emergency strikes." Five years ago, Kathy said, "It was a firefighter that pulled me unconscious from a car wreck and a year ago firefighters responded to a family medical emergency." Later she would learn that a firefighter standing behind her, holding a Sgambati sign during the event, was in fact the man that pulled her from the car after the crash.

Sgambati's record as State Senator includes providing funding for terrorism training to over 1,000 fire fighters; fighting HMO requirements that required pre-approval before 911 was called in an emergency; moving EMS under Fire Standards & Training to ensure quality; and providing health coverage for the spouse and dependents of fire fighters killed in the line of duty, providing a safety net after New Hampshire's bravest paid the ultimate sacrifice.

"I am honored to have the firefighters endorsement. We depend on them in emergency situations and they should be able to depend on elected leaders to support them," said Sgambati at the close of the event.

The Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire [PFFNH] Headquartered in Londonderry, NH, represents more than 2,000 full-time professional fire fighters and paramedics who protect the Granite State. More information is available at www.pffnh.org

NH STATE SENATOR KATHY SGAMBATI TO HOLD A TOWN HALL MEETING

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 7th, 2008

CONTACT:

Greg Silverman

603-768-1722 / gsilverman@nhdp.org

NH STATE SENATOR KATHY SGAMBATI TO HOLD A TOWN HALL MEETING

Senator Kathy Sgambati will host a series of town meetings to hear voter’s concerns and their ideas for New Hampshire’s future. The first session was held in Tilton and the second was in Barnstead. The third and final meeting before the election will be in Gilford at the recently opened public library. The Senator will offer brief statements and the remaining time will allotted to answering questions and hearing area residents’ issues and ideas.

Topics will include energy, the economy, health care and other issues of concern to voters. Energy conservation and assistance information will be available. The meeting will be held on October 14th from 6:00PM to 7:00PM at the Gilford Public Library.

The details of the events are:

October 14th

6:00pm – 7:00pm

Gilford Public Library

31 Potter Hill Rd

Gilford, New Hampshire

Sgambati points to successes and the challenges ahead

By JOHN KOZIOL

jkoziol@citizen.com

Article Date: Thursday, October 9, 2008

Saying she has used the past two years well, Kathy Sgambati is seeking another term representing District 4 in the state Senate where she promises to continue reflecting the "New Hampshire values" of caring for neighbors and the community in a fiscally-prudent manner.

Sgambati, a Democrat from Tilton, is facing Republican newcomer Greg Knytych, who is in his first term as a Laconia city councilor.

Senate District 4 comprises Alton, Barnstead, Belmont, Gilford, Gilmanton, Laconia, New Durham, Strafford and Tilton.

Sgambati spent more than 25 years working in the Department of Health and Human Services, including six years as deputy commissioner under then Gov. Jeanne Shaheen.

She helped pass the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and the Kid's Cabinet and currently serves on the Senate's energy, environment and economic development finance health and human services public and municipal affairs committees.

In a second term, Sgambati would like to protect "the gains we made" while digging harder for efficiencies in how the state does business. With her DHHS experience, Sgambati says she's used to sorting priorities and trimming excess out of budgets, like last year's DHHS budget which was reduced by $25 million after Sgambati questioned the number and cost of caseloads it was built around.

That budget was reduced without reducing services, said Sgambati who later defended the biennial budget the Legislature adopted last year.

"We passed a balanced budget," she said, adding "I don't think anyone could have predicted the financial crisis or the turn in the economy" that saw all state revenues decrease.

The Democratically-controlled Legislature acted responsibly in cleaning up the remains of "years of neglect" they inherited from Republicans, said Sgambati. The state retirement system was "broken," she said, while the state's 10-year highway plan was "a fantasy" because the reality was that it would take New Hampshire 35 years to catch up on the work.

Medicaid rates had to be increased or several important care providers indicated they would leave the system, Sgambati said, adding that another unanticipated hit was a 28 percent increase in fuel costs for the state.

In the end, the Legislature added three items to Gov. John Lynch's budget: money to provide health insurance to 10,000 more state children, to reduce the waiting list for services to those with developmental disabilities and to fund the New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program.

Sgambati believes few people would question those spending decisions, but she agrees that there are several areas of state spending that do need to be look at, among them the centralized computer management system which she says has several redundancies in it.

The budget for the Corrections Department is booming, she continued, yet leading state judges would like to see more resources dedicated to improving mental health and substance abuse treatment programs rather than to building more prisons.

Sgambati, during an interview Wednesday with the editorial board of The Citizen, said she has not, does not and would not support either a sales or income tax because "this is the moment when people can least afford another take from their pocket."

The moment Sgambati was referring to is one of economic uncertainty. She said the Legislature has helped to improve the business climate by passing a research and development tax credit, a law that helps small businesses buy health care insurance and by its support of alternative energies and the environment. By doing the latter, the hope is to stimulate job creation, she explained, adding that the North Country tax credits program might be expanded to other parts of the state.

Keeping taxes low is a part of helping revive the economy while controlling spending is another.

"We have to get back to zero-based budgeting" said Sgambati, where each department has to annually justify its spending priorities. Over time, "a lot gets added but things don't get subtracted" from the state budget, she said.

The challenge, however, is that "you can nickel and dime every state program to the point where they're ineffective," which is why Sgambati would rather see the state not do some things at all unless it can do them well.

Although not a strong supporter of expanded gambling as a way of raising state revenues, Sgambati said she nonetheless supported legislation last year that would have permitted slot machines at existing thoroughbred or greyhound race tracks, like The Lodge at Belmont. She said she voted for the slot machines because Belmont residents said they wanted them.

As to House Bill 2 which the Legislature passed in 2007 and which caused a lot of head scratching on the Laconia City Council, Sgambati said it has worked well even though it is a complex law.

In short HB2, assigns certain billing responsibilities to the state and ten counties.

"It simplified a process. You couldn't have designed a worse process had you tried," Sgambati said of the former system where the state and counties wasted a cumulative $20 million in shuffling paperwork back and forth.

Confusion about how HB2 was being implemented had Laconia officials attributing a jump in this year's Belknap County tax to it; recently, however, the city learned that the tax was actually lower than expected.

Regarding the state's funding of education, Sgambati said she expects there again will be support for a constitutional amendment that permits the state to target aid. She supported one version of an amendment that guaranteed at least 50 percent of state funding for an "adequate education" but voted against two versions that didn't have that provision.

Looking back over her first two years in the Senate, Sgambati said she was struck by "how extraordinarily hard the people at that table work."

"There's an enormous dedication to doing right by the people. That's a very happy surprise."

SENATOR KATHY SGAMBATI TO HOLD TOWN HALL MEETING

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 17th, 2008

CONTACT:

Greg Silverman

603-768-1722 / gsilverman@nhdp.org

NH STATE SENATOR KATHY SGAMBATI TO HOLD TOWN HALL MEETING

Senator Kathy Sgambati will host a series of town meetings to hear voter’s concerns and their ideas for New Hampshire’s future.&#160; The first session was held in Tilton and the second will be held in Barnstead at the Town Office.&#160; The Senator will offer brief statements and the remaining time will allotted to answering questions and hearing area residents’ issues and ideas.

Topics will include energy, the economy, health care and other issues of concern to voters. Energy conservation and assistance information will be available. The meeting will be held on September 22nd from 6:30PM to 7:30PM at the Barnstead Town Office.

Senator Sgambati will be holding an additional Senate District 4 meeting during October in Gilford.&#160; Details on date and location to be announced.

The details of the events are:

September 22nd

6:30pm – 7:30pm

Barnstead Town Office

108 South Barnstead Road

Center Barnstead, New Hampshire

NH STATE SENATOR KATHY SGAMBATI AND TILTON CANDIDATES FOR STATE REPRESENATIVE TO HOLD A TOWN HALL MEETING

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 1st, 2008

CONTACT:

Greg Silverman

603-768-1722 / gsilverman@nhdp.org

NH STATE SENATOR KATHY SGAMBATI AND TILTON CANDIDATES FOR STATE REPRESENATIVE TO HOLD A TOWN HALL MEETING

Senator Kathy Sgambati will host a series of town meetings to hear voter’s concerns and their ideas for New Hampshire’s future. The first session will be held in Tilton and the Senator will be joined by State Representative candidate Stanley Robinson and write-in candidate Liz Merry.&#160; The candidates will offer brief statements and the remaining time will allotted to answering questions and hearing area residents’ issues and ideas.

Topics will include energy, the economy, health care and other issues of concern to voters. Energy conservation and assistance information will be available. The meeting will be held on September 8th from 7:30PM to 8:30PM at the Tilton Coffee and Tea House on 256 Main St in Tilton.

Senator Sgambati will be holding two additional Senate District 4 meetings during September in Gilford and Barnstead.&#160; Details on dates and locations to be announced.

The details of the events are:

September 8th

7:30pm – 8:30pm

Tilton Coffee and Tea House

256 Main St

Tilton, NH

BILL TO ELIMINATE VETERANS FEES BECOMES LAW

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Contact: Senator Kathleen Sgambati

(603) 271-3074

BILL TO ELIMINATE FEES FOR VETERANS LICENSE PLATES BECOMES LAW

CONCORD – Senators celebrated today as Governor John Lynch signed into law a bill to eliminate the fee for special number license plates for veterans.

Senate Bill 490 was sponsored by Senator Kathleen Sgambati (D-Tilton). Under the law, veterans will no longer have to pay a one-time $25 fee for the special number plates. The governor signed the legislation before a group of lawmakers and veterans in the Council Chambers.

“The bill is a simple token of our appreciation. Veterans’ plates allow those who serve to mark their service. The least we can do it to provide those plates without cost to them,” Sgambati said.

The law also clarifies that disabled veterans do not have to pay to register their vehicles in New Hampshire and adds former prisoners of war to the list of those who will not have to pay state registration fees.

The legislation received unanimous support in the Senate.

Senator Robert Clegg (R-Hudson) agreed the bill was just a small token of gratitude to veterans but added: “We’re not going to stop at this. We’re going to honor you at every chance we get,” he said.

Last year, the Senate also advanced legislation, signed into law by the governor, to establish a New Hampshire Medal of Honor for military members killed in action.

Senator Sgambati Announces Re-Election Bid

Release Date: May 28 2008

Media Advisory

Contact: Senator Kathy Sgambati

Phone: 286-8931

Tilton - Senator Kathy Sgambati today announced her intention to seek re-election in state Senate District 4.

“The voters of District 4 trusted me to represent them and I have worked hard to honor that trust. I first ran for office to increase access to affordable health care, to protect New Hampshire’s natural assets and to support small businesses. We have made substantial progress on all of these fronts. ”

Sgambati has successfully worked to expand access to health care coverage and to make health insurance more affordable for small business owners. As a result of legislation she sponsored a new insurance product, HealthFirst, will reduce costs to small businesses while requiring insurance companies to develop a more cost-effective product.

She also noted progress in environmental protections and energy policy. “The legislation passed last session will serve to protect our environment while creating incentives for alternative energy production and economic development. “

“There is more that needs to be done” Sgambati added. “I am seeking reelection to continue to our progress on economic development, education and health care while working to help address growing budget concerns. I look forward to working with Governor Lynch and the Senate to meet the needs of District 4 and the state.”

Senator Sgambati serves on the Finance, Energy, Environment and Economic Development, and Public and Municipal Affairs committees and serves as the vice chair of the Health and Human Services committee. She was also appointed to the joint legislative Fiscal Committee and the Healthy Kids Board of Directors.

During her first term Sgambati has was honored by the American Medical Association as the nation’s outstanding state Senator for her work in health care. She has also received national and state awards from groups such as the Afterschool Alliance, the NH Health Care Association and the NH Women’s Lobby for her efforts in health policy, budgeting and children’s services.

Senate District 4 includes Barnstead, Belmont, Gilford, Gilmanton, Laconia, New Durham, Strafford and Tilton.

New Hampshire State Senator Honored as an Afterschool Champion in Nation’s Capital

May 14, 2008

CONTACT: Gretchen Wright, 202/371-1999

New Hampshire State Senator Honored as an Afterschool Champion in Nation’s Capital

Parents, Educators, Students, Afterschool Leaders, City and State Leaders Urge Congress to Reject Proposed Funding Cut

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Afterschool Alliance today honored New Hampshire State Senator Kathleen Sgambati for her support for afterschool programs at the “Breakfast of Champions,” a gala event in Washington, D.C. Senator Sgambati was one of 16 individuals and four organizations honored for their tireless work on behalf of afterschool programs. She was nominated by PlusTime New Hampshire.

As former Deputy Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Senator Sgambati supported the development of PlusTime New Hampshire and the Governor’s Commission on Childcare. She was instrumental in designing and launching Governor Jean Shaheen’s Kids’ Cabinet, on which she also served. Since leaving the department, Senator Sgambati has worked as a consultant on many children’s issues including foster care, developmental services, and afterschool care, including starting a program for middle school students.

She continues to advocate for children and afterschool care in the New Hampshire Senate and works closely with PlusTime New Hampshire, a state organization that provides the training, advocacy, financial and human resources critical to afterschool program success.

The “Breakfast of Champions” is part of the seventh annual Afterschool for All Challenge which brings together hundreds of parents, educators, children, program directors and advocates from around the country for a series of events and meetings with Members of Congress. The 2008 Challenge is co-sponsored by the National League of Cities and the Afterschool Alliance. Following the “Breakfast,” the advocates fanned out across Capitol Hill for meetings with their U.S. Senators and Representatives, and congressional staff.

“Parents, children and communities rely on afterschool programs to keep kids safe, inspire them to learn and help working families,” said Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant. “But federal funding isn’t keeping up with the demand for afterschool, and President Bush proposes to cut federal afterschool funding even further. We’re in our nation’s capital this week to honor afterschool champions and remind lawmakers that these cuts are short-sighted and counterproductive. All kids need the opportunities that afterschool programs provide. Bipartisan support in Congress defeated the last proposed cut to afterschool programs, and we are seeking bipartisan support again this year so we can counter the President’s proposal and bring quality afterschool programs to all children who need them.”

This year, President Bush proposed cutting the federal budget for afterschool programs by $281 million and converting the successful 21^st Century Community Learning Centers afterschool initiative (21^stCCLC) into a risky voucher system. If Congress agrees to his proposal, 300,000 students would lose access to afterschool programs.

Other city champions honored at the Afterschool for All Challenge are: Boise Mayor David Bieter; Columbia Mayor Bob Coble; Kacy Conley, YMCA of Central Maryland in Baltimore; St. Paul Mayor Christopher Coleman; Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey; Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell; Savannah Mayor Otis Johnson; Morgantown Mayor Ron Justice; Charlotte City Council Member James Mitchell; Missouri State Representative Daniel Moore; New York City Commissioner of the Department of Youth and Community Development Jeanne Mullgrav; San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom; Linda Robinson, Kentucky Department of Education; Maxine Quintana, Denver Mayor’s Office for Education and Children; and Pennsylvania State Representative Jake Wheatley.

The Afterschool Alliance and MetLife Foundation also presented the first-ever MetLife Afterschool Innovator Awards at the “Breakfast of Champions” to four organizations that have developed and implemented innovative afterschool practices. The awardees are profiled in Afterschool Innovations in Brief, a series of Issue Briefs developed by the Afterschool Alliance with funding from MetLife Foundation. They are: The After-School Corporation in New York; LA’s BEST in California; The Native Youth Club in South Dakota; and Lincoln Community Learning Centers in Nebraska.

# # # #

Gov. Lynch Urges House Commerce Committee To Support NH HealthFirst

April 10, 2008

Contact: Communications Director

Office of the Governor

603-271-2121

Bipartisan Legislation Aimed at Making Health Insurance More Affordable for NH Small Businesses

CONCORD – Gov. John Lynch today urged the House Commerce Committee to support legislation implementing New Hampshire HealthFirst, a bipartisan initiative to help New Hampshire small businesses better afford health insurance for their workers.

Gov. Lynch unveiled the proposal, which will help reduce costs by making wellness insurance plans available to small businesses, during his State of the State Address last month.

The Senate passed the measure last month 21-3.

“New Hampshire HealthFirst will help New Hampshire small businesses better afford health insurance coverage for their workers,” Gov. Lynch said. “It will give small businesses access to the same types of innovations that large employers, including state government, are using to control the growth in their health care costs. That will help keep workers healthier and keep health insurance in reach of employers.”

New Hampshire HealthFirst was developed in conjunction with the state Insurance Department, lawmakers, and other stakeholders. It will provide comparable coverage to existing health insurance plans, and reduce premiums by addressing the underlying cost drivers of health care increases through better prevention, better care management and more efficient use of health care services.

“This is a plan focused on the patient and on keeping the patient healthy. That translates into better, more cost-effective care,” Gov. Lynch said. “HealthFirst’s aim is to make it possible for all workers and their employers to access more affordable, comprehensive coverage. But it also requires all of us to take more responsibility for our own health, to make sure we are taking preventative measures and doing what we can to stay healthy.”

Rhode Island passed similar legislation last year and reports a savings to small businesses of more than 15 percent when compared to similar coverage available in the market.

“Small business owners I have spoken with are excited about HealthFirst and what it could mean to their businesses and to their employees,” Gov. Lynch said. “It could mean the difference between small business owners continuing to offer quality health insurance, or choosing to reduce or eliminate benefits. It could mean the difference between decreasing our numbers of uninsured, or adding to the problem.”

The HealthFirst legislation is part of a comprehensive effort being undertaken in the State of New Hampshire to help ensure that more citizens have access to quality, affordable health care. The Citizens Health Initiative, created by Gov. Lynch, is working to make more information about health care costs available, to expand the use of electronic medical records and to make New Hampshire the first state where all providers can prescribe medications electronically.

“HealthFirst is the next step in helping to stabilize health care costs here in New Hampshire and in helping our small businesses continue to offer health insurance to its workers,” Gov. Lynch said.

Senate Bill 540 is sponsored by Sens. Kathy Sgambati, Joe Foster, Maggie Hassan, Iris Estabrook, Deb Reynolds, Bob Odell, John Gallus, Jack Barnes, Jackie Cilley, Martha Fuller Clark, Molly Kelly, Lou D'Allesandro, David Gottesman, Sylvia Larsen and Harold Janeway; Reps. Martha McLeod, Sharon Nordgren, Peter Bergin, James Pilliod and Ed Butler.

http://www.nh.gov/governor/news/2008/041108healthfirst.html

SENATOR PRESENTS HEALTH PLAN FOR SMALL BUSINESSES TO THE HOUSE

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Contact: Senator Kathleen Sgambati (603) 271-3074

CONCORD - Senator Kathleen Sgambati (D-Tilton) testified before the House Commerce Committee today in support of HealthFirst, legislation to provide new and cheaper alternatives for small business health insurance.

Senate Bill 540 passed 21-3 in the Senate in March and has the support of Governor John Lynch, who also testified today.

"This plan makes coverage affordable, not by diluting benefits, but by addressing the underlying drivers of health care spending," said Sgambati, the prime sponsor.

The legislation would require major insurance carriers in the state to offer a standard wellness plan for small businesses with up to 50 employees. Premium costs would be controlled by focusing on prevention, managing chronic conditions and promoting best practices. Similar legislation in Rhode Island produced a savings of more than 15 percent for small businesses compared to other forms of coverage available in the market.

"Senate Bill 540 is intended to address the rising costs of health insurance that more and more small businesses are struggling to pay," said Senate President Sylvia Larsen (D-Concord) who also testified in support of the bill today.

"Your constituents need something better than what's available to them now," agreed state Insurance Commissioner Roger Sevigny. "I believe there's a way to do it."

The legislation would require the state Department of Insurance to set up an advisory committee to develop the specifics of the plan, with incentives to promote efficiency, health and wellness. The target premium price would be 10 percent of the prior year's median wage, currently about $262 per month.

Safeguards protect insurance companies from having to absorb a loss if the premium price is not adequate to cover their costs. The advisory committee would rework the plan if no insurance carriers can meet the target price. In addition, the legislation calls for plan requirements to be reviewed and revised every three years.

&#160;-30-

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/senate/press/2008/HealthFirst%20presented%20to%20House.htm

NH Dems Congratulate Sen. Sgambati for Receiving the Prestigious "Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service"

April 1, 2008

Pia Carusone

(603) 225-6899

(Concord) Senator Kathy Sgambati (Tilton) will be presented with the American Medical Association's Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service tonight in Washington, DC. She is being named the nation's Outstanding State Senator for 2008 by the AMA.

"On behalf of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, I want to extend my congratulations to Sen. Sgambati on receiving this prestigious award," said New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley. "No one is more deserving of this national award as Sen. Sgambati has devoted decades of her life working on healthcare issues both before she was elected and while serving her first term in the New Hampshire State Senate. Sen. Sgambati has quickly established herself here in NH and nationally as a highly respected leader who works in a bipartisan manner to get results."

Sen. Sgambati was selected as the winner for her role in designing and implementing the Children's Health Insurance Program and the Kid's Cabinet; managing the Citizen's Health Initiative and securing over a billion dollars in federal aid; and, as a State Senator, by successfully sponsoring legislation to create a volunteer outreach program, to reduce costs, to expand access to health insurance and to fully fund services for people with developmental disabilities.

Sen. Sgambati's selection by the AMA marks a first for any public official from the state of New Hampshire. She will receive the award on Tuesday April 1st at the American Medical Association's 2008 National Advocacy Conference in Washington DC.

###

AMA HONORS NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE SENATOR WITH TOP GOVERNMENT SERVICE AWARD

April 1, 2008

WASHINGTON – New Hampshire State Sen. Kathleen Sgambati will be honored tonight with the American Medical Association’s (AMA) highest award for a public official. She will be presented with the award by veteran broadcast journalist Forrest Sawyer at an awards dinner tonight in Washington, D.C. as part of the AMA’s National Advocacy Conference.

Sgambati was one of eight honorees chosen this year to receive the Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service. The award, named for the founding father of the AMA, recognizes elected and career officials in federal, state or municipal service whose contributions have promoted the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health.

“This award reflects Senator Sgambati’s tireless commitment to issues that impact the health and well-being of women and children,” said AMA Board Chair Edward Langston, M.D.

“She led one of the most successful public-private partnerships in the history of New Hampshire, which cut the uninsured rate for children in half.”

“Through the Nathan Davis Award, the American Medical Association salutes government officials that go above and beyond the call of duty to improve public health. Award winners come from every branch of government service, and are a testament to the important role public officials play in creating and implementing health policy that benefits Americans,” said Dr. Langston.

She was nominated for the award by New Hampshire State Senator and Majority Leader, Joseph A. Foster.

This year marks the 19th anniversary of the Dr. Nathan Davis Awards. Recipients of this year’s awards also include Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), and Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell.

SENATE DELAYS NEW SHORELAND PROTECTION RULES UNTIL OCT. 1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Contact: Senator Kathleen Sgambati (603) 271-3074

Senator Deborah Reynolds (603) 271-3569

CONCORD - The Senate voted today to adjust the implementation date for new rules that place tighter restrictions on shorefront development.

The Shoreland Protection Act was due to go into effect on April 1 but today's vote in the Senate seeks to push that back to Oct 1. The House must concur with the new date or request a committee of conference for further negotiations with the Senate.

Senator Kathleen Sgambati (D-Tilton) and Senator Deborah Reynolds (D-Plymouth) both support the new shoreline protection measures but want to make sure landowners aren't hurt by the transition to new permitting rules.

They voted in support of the Oct. 1 dates to give the state Department of Environmental Services more time to educate landowners and builders about them.

"It is important that we afford the public, and particularly the building community, sufficient time to get familiar with the new permitting process. Delaying the implementation date to Oct. 1 is more than reasonable given the complexity of the process," said Reynolds.

"My goal was to make sure people who have started the building process know what they need to do to successfully complete their projects," Sgambati said. "The new implementation date gives building officials and others more time to learn the new rules and find out whether they might need a waiver to complete a project that's already been started."

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http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/senate/press/2008/HealthFirst%20Senate%20vote.htm

SENATE SUPPORTS SMALL BUSINESS HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Contact: Senator Kathleen Sgambati (603) 271-3074

CONCORD - The Senate voted 21-3 today in support of a new health insurance program for small businesses called New Hampshire Health First. The legislation now heads to the House.

"This plan makes coverage affordable, not by diluting benefits, but by addressing the underlying drivers of health care spending," said Senator Kathleen Sgambati (D-Tilton), who sponsored Senate Bill 540 at the urging of Governor John Lynch.

"We have heard repeatedly, especially from the small business community, about the need for this kind of help," said Senator Maggie Hassan (D-Exeter), a co-sponsor. "We are putting pressure on carriers to do cost containment and we're asking consumers to do the same by providing incentives for them to take better care of their health."

Senate Bill 540 calls for the state Department of Insurance to set up an advisory committee to develop the specifics of the plan. The target premium price would be 10 percent of the prior year's median wage, currently about $262 per month.

"We have an opportunity to develop a product that helps our small business owners who've been struggling with sharply rising insurance costs for years now. If this allows more of them to keep their employees covered, we all benefit," said Senator David Gottesman, (D-Nashua) chairman of the Commerce Committee, which recommended passage of the bill.

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http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/senate/press/2008/HealthFirst%20Senate%20vote.htm