LETTER TO THE EDITOR: {Printed in this weeks editions of the Machias Valley News Observer, and the Downeast Coastal Press): Supporting Katherine Cassidy We are writing with keen appreciation and continued support for State Representative Katherine Cassidy. This past legislative session was particularly challenging for Federally Quaified Health Centers with the Governor vetoing the expansion of MaineCare five times.Representative Cassidys enthusiastic attentiveness and advocacy for Washington County became especially important in this politically tumultuous environment. She facilitated raising awareness about innovations in health care in our county through the Washington County Bright Spots in Health Care Hall of Flags event in January 2014. As a member of the Health and Human Services Committee, Katherine always put patients over politics and was a steady influence with her colleagues in the House and Senate. She was instrumental in having a presentation about Community Circles for the HHS Committee, an innovation developed and implemented in Washington County. Her focus continues to be quickly discerning how decisions would adversely impact our friends and neighbors here in Washington County followed by an urgency to find alternatives. Success in Augusta relies in large measure on continuity and familiarity. After her first term representing our health centers and all of us, she deserves the opportunity to build on her stellar work fighting for affordable and accessible healthcare. While State House politics heated up, Katherine remained a constant -- always accessible, listening and connected to her constituents while seeking bipartisan compromises. Community health centers all over Maine know first-hand the difficult issues facing our patients. Those of us in Washington County who have reached out to Representative Katherine Cassidy, know she is a strong supporter with a determined voice, advocating for everyday people while trying to find sensible solutions. She has earned the reputation, champion of patients and communities in our county. Lee Umphrey,Harrington Holly M. Gartmayer-DeYoung, Eastport
Posted on: Wed, 10 Sep 2014 10:19:59 +0000