MEDIA RELEASE

Gov. 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.

Abercrombie is in North Carolina attending the Democratic Governors Association meeting as well as the Democratic National Convention.

“My role on this committee is beneficial to the work that we are doing in the State of Hawaii,” Abercrombie said. “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.”

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 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 Gov. Martin O’Malley will serve as chairman of the committee, and Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval will serve as vice chairman.

Other members include: Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, American Samoa Gov. Togiola Tulafono, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber and Washington Gov. 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.

— Find out more:
www.nga.org