Patten Praised by NH Public Health Association

The New Hampshire Public Health Association (NHPHA) would like to publicly thank state Rep. DickPatten who is among those in this area whose hard work this past year helped further public health in New Hampshire.

The New Hampshire Public Health Association (www.nhpha.org) is committed to strengthening the state’s public health system to improve health, prevent disease, and reduce costs for all.

Each year, NHPHA recognizes representatives of both parties whose votes supported sound public health policy during this legislative session in Concord. Among the many pieces of legislation impacting public health each year, we select a few key bills with roll call votes to determine which legislators should be called Champions.

This year, our Public Health Champions worked to:

• that there is paycheck equity (SB207) and that employers can no longer discriminate between employees on the basis of sex
  

• that New Hampshire has a plan in place to respond to any adverse effects of oil spills (SB325)

• that our youth are protected by defeating a bill that would have allowed outdoor advertising of alcohol products on billboards (SB329)

• that adult citizens of New Hampshire have access to affordable health insurance (SB413)

• that they raised awareness of the need to raise the state’s minimum wage (HB1403) although it did not pass.

We applaud Patten for taking seriously his role in protecting and promoting health in New Hampshire’s communities.

Submitted by Marie Mulroy, president, NH Public Health Association.