ATLANTA – State Representative Ed Rynders (R-Albany) was recently appointed to serve on the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Environment Committee by House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge).
“The best government is government closest to the people,” said Rep. Rynders. “It helps guarantee both accountability and local control. The latest power grab by Washington should scare all Georgians when it comes to health care costs and access, especially those of us who live in rural areas. I am grateful for the confidence Speaker Ralston has shown in me with this appointment. Hopefully, something meaningful can be done to return healthcare decisions back to the locals and the states.”
The Health Committee is one of NCSL’s 12 standing committees. These standing committees serve an important role in representing state interests in Washington, D.C. and in the facilitating policy innovation among the state and territorial legislatures. The committees also provide a unique forum for the discussion of major issues facing the states, which allows legislators to learn from the experiences of other states.
According to NCSL, its Health Committee is charged with educating Congress and federal agencies about state concerns regarding developments in federal health initiatives, programs and grants to states. The committee also serves as a forum for legislators and legislative staff to learn and share information regarding health programs and health policy initiatives in other states. Some of the issues this committee has tackled include medicare prescription drug coverage, Medicaid, health care cost containment, health care access, and public health and prevention.
The appointment is for a two-year term concurrent with Rep. Rynders’ service as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives.
The committee’s next meeting will be held at NCSL’s Legislative Summit in Atlanta, GA from August 12-15, 2013.
NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves legislators and staffs from the nation’s 50 states. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues. It also advocates for the interests of the states in the American federal system.
For more information about NCSL and its Health Committee, please click here.
Representative Ed Rynders represents the citizens of District 152, which includes portions of Lee, Sumter, and Worth Counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2002, and is currently the Chairman of the Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, and the Secretary of the Health & Human Services and Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment committees. He also serves on the Intragovernmental Coordination and Transportation committees.
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