As a life-long nurse, fighting to increase affordable access to quality healthcare is one of the primary reasons I first ran for office. I understand the complex healthcare issues facing our state and know we must work together to find solutions that reduce costs, while ensuring access to quality care for individuals of all ages.

Throughout my first three years in office, I have become a leader on healthcare issues in the state Legislature. Among other recognitions, I was awarded the 2010 WI Public Health Association Legislator of the Year and 2010 HealthWatch WI Elected Official of the Year.  I was the lead author of the Wisconsin Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity Act, which helps individuals living with these conditions enjoy healthier lives and become more productive members of society. 

While healthcare was one of the reasons I first ran for office, it is also a major reason why I decided to run for the 8^th Senate District seat.  The choices made by Alberta Darling and Scott Walker in their budget will put some of our most vulnerable populations at significant risk.  Namely, it grants Walker’s administration sweeping and unprecedented authority to gouge medical assistance programs – such as BadgerCare, SeniorCare, and Family Care – by almost a half billion dollars. They can make these cuts through decreasing eligibility, increasing premiums, and cutting services – all with little to no public input or legislative oversight.  The Darling/Walker budget also severely restricts women’s and children’s access to preventive health services and jeopardizes vital family planning services – which not only save lives, but also save taxpayer dollars – for 57,000 women and men throughout the state.

I have long fought for the health of our community and our state, and I hope to continue doing so as your next State Senator.

The choices being made in the Darling and Walker budget will threaten the quality of our schools, services within our local communities, and programs provided to some of our most vulnerable populations