FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2007

 
CONTACT: NH for Hillary Press Office
Kathleen Strand
 

MANCHESTER, NH – On the heels of Hillary Clinton’s announcement of her American Health Choices Plan, NH for Hillary announced the “Granite State Health Corps,” a group of healthcare leaders and medical providers from across the state who have endorsed Hillary and her plan to provide affordable, quality healthcare coverage to every American.

Hillary’s Granite State Health Corps --  respected leaders in the healthcare community -- will advocate for her health care plan across the state, talking to neighbors, friends, colleagues and attending local events about Hillary’s leadership on the issue and what it means for the people of New Hampshire.

Under this plan, all Americans can keep their current insurance, choose a new private plan or take part in a public plan like Medicare. Insurance will be portable and safe from discrimination.

“The fact that there are 47 million people without health insurance in a country as rich as ours is just a national disgrace,” said Senator Clinton. “I have proposed a plan that will to modernize the health care system and ensure affordable coverage for all.”

Under the American Health Choices Plan, a family will have a choice of quality, affordable health insurance plans.  They can keep their existing plan, offered through their employer, or they can choose from the same coverage options offered under the Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan or a new public program, modeled on Medicare.  Either way, their health insurance will cost less than it does today.  And they can rest assured that if they become ill or lose their jobs, they won’t lose their coverage, because insurance companies will no longer be able to exclude people or charge unaffordable premiums because a person has a chronic illness such as cancer or heart disease.

For more information on the American Health Choices Plan, visit the campaign's website at www.hillaryclinton.com/healthcare .

Ellen Ceppetelli, RN, Windsor, VT – Chair of the Department of Nursing at Colby-Sawyer College and Director of Nursing Education at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center

Dr. Jeffrey Cohen, Hanover, NH - Chief of Neurosurgery at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center

Dr. Stuart Glassman, Bedford, NH -Adjunct Assistant Professor of Community and Family Medicine at Dartmouth College Medical School

Senator Maggie Hassan, Exeter, NH - Health Care Advocate, served on the board of Community Developmental Services and the Disabilities Rights Center

Senator Molly Kelly, Keene, NH - Vice Chairwoman of the Healthy New Hampshire Foundation and Board member of the Home Care Association of New Hampshire.

Rep. Martha McLeod, Franconia, NH - Executive Director of the North Country Health Consortium

Dr. Cynthia Moniz, Canterbury, NH -  Ph.D., MSW

Dr. Chris Roseberry, Exeter, NH – Chief of Surgery at Exeter Hospital

Senator Kathy Sgambati, Tilton, NH - Former Deputy Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

Dr. Elizabeth Smith, Concord, NH – Pediatrician

Dr. Gary Sobelson, Concord, NH - Family Physician and NH Medical Leader

Wendy Wilson, RN, Laconia, NH - Professor of Nursing at the New Hampshire Technical College

Dr. Rick Wilson, Laconia, NH - Medical Administrator, and former clinical pediatrician of 25 years at Lakes Regional General Hospital
 

“What really sold me was when I saw her at Dartmouth Hitchcock last month. Hillary really connected to me as a nurse. In a country where we have more than 47 million people without health care, she's the one who can really fight for universal coverage and other healthcare issues. She really cares about people."
Ellen Ceppetelli, RN, Department of Nursing Chair at Colby-Sawyer College and Director of Nursing Education at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Windsor, VT

 
“She converted me when she spoke on the stem-cell research panel at Dartmouth, especially because of her interest in supporting research. She has the clearest view on healthcare of any of the candidates.”
Dr. Jeffrey Cohen, Chief of Neurosurgery at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Hanover

 
"Hillary has shown that healthcare is a very important issue to her, and her focus is genuine. I work with veterans and persons with disabilities, and she has a good understanding for people who are at a disadvantage."
Dr. Stuart Glassman, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Community and Family Medicine at Dartmouth College Medical School, Bedford

 
“Getting quality, affordable health coverage to all Americans has been Senator Clinton’s life’s work, and it will be her highest domestic priority when she’s President.  Healthcare reform is not an isolated issue either – we need it to enhance America’s global competitiveness, to promote job creation and a growing economy, and to improve our quality of life.  So by focusing on health care, she will also be focusing on these other pressing issues.”
Senator Maggie Hassan, a long time health-care advocate, who has served on the board of Community Developmental Services and the Disabilities Rights Center, Exeter

 
“Senator Clinton has a well-crafted plan that does not raise taxes or create new bureaucracy. I like that her plan includes a tax credit for small businesses. Hillary has shown that she knows small businesses are the economic engine of this country and must be part of the solution to providing healthcare to all Americans.”
Senator Molly Kelly, Treasurer and Vice Chairwoman of the Healthy New Hampshire Foundation; Board member of the Home Care Association of New Hampshire, Keene

 
"Under the American Health Choices Plan, a family will have a choice of quality, affordable health insurance plans.  They can keep their existing plan, offered through their employer, or they can choose from the same coverage options offered under the Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan or a new public program, modeled on Medicare.  Either way, their health insurance will cost less than it does today.”
Rep. Martha McLeod, Executive Director of the North Country Health Consortium, Franconia

 
“Hillary has been involved in healthcare since the early 90s -- for me, that's a big plus. She is well-versed on issues, knows the political landscape, and has experience with efforts to reform health care. Hillary also has a history of concern and outreach to groups to have traditionally been left out of healthcare programs, especially kids. She has experience as a senator as well, and has worked steadily toward the goal to reforming the system."
Dr. Cynthia Moniz, Ph.D., MSW, Canterbury

 
“Senator Clinton has proposed substantial changes to the healthcare system that will positively affect the way that Americans get their care. Not only are these changes going to save billions of healthcare dollars, but they will give access to every American. And with these changes, quality of care will improve through increased preventative measures, by empowering patients to make informed decisions and by establishing best practice incentives to physicians. I fully support Senator Clinton’s innovative and thoughtful healthcare reform policy.”
Dr. Chris Roseberry, Chief, Division of Surgery, Exeter Hospital, Exeter

 
“I admire Senator Clinton's grasp of the complexities of healthcare issues, and she is clearly the most qualified candidate to repair our health care system-- for all Americans. Her plan will cut costs, improve quality, and cover every American without raising taxes. She has the knowledge and the experience to get the job done.”
Senator Kathy Sgambati served as the Deputy Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services for over 25 years. She was instrumental in designing and introducing the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and the Kid’s Cabinet, Tilton

 
"My key reason for supporting Senator Clinton in particular is the depth of her understanding of the current issues that plague our current healthcare system.  That comprehensive understanding, along with her vision for where we need to go with healthcare reform, is what attracts me to her candidacy."
Dr. Elizabeth Smith, pediatrician, Concord

 
“Hillary has so much experience in the field of healthcare, and has such a depth of understanding about not just the broad strokes of what’s needed, but the importance of the details and understanding the effects that one change has on other elements of the system. You get a sense of her detailed knowledge and involvement in this issue, which gives me great confidence in her.”
Dr. Gary Sobelson, Family Physician and NH Medical Leader, Concord

 
"Hillary is a strong supporter of universal access to affordable healthcare -- this has been a significant concern of hers for her entire career. As a pediatrician, I appreciate her concern for children's health issues, which are so important to all of us."
Dr. Rick Wilson, Medical Administrator (practiced clinical pediatrics for 25 years) at the Lakes Regional General Hospital, Laconia

 
"I am continually impressed by her knowledge and experience in the field of healthcare, as well as her prior support of children's and women's health. She has a strong record of supporting nurses and healthcare education."
Wendy Wilson, RN, Professor of Nursing at the New Hampshire Technical College, Laconia