ISSUES

Healthcare

Comprehensive, affordable healthcare is a basic human right. As a healthcare provider, I know that high prescription costs, exorbitant deductibles and inadequate access to quality medical and mental health services can dramatically impact the wellness of the individual and their family. The substance abuse crisis was exacerbated by COVID and requires expanded, local and timely recovery services rather than a focus on criminalizing a medical emergency. We must: limit out of pocket expenses for prescriptions and copays/deductibles; increase access to quality, comprehensive and accountable primary, specialty and mental health services; and incentivize our healthcare workforce to stay and care for Rhode Islanders.

My work on Healthcare

  • Championed bills to address the critical shortage of primary care providers, with funding for primary care training sites and student loan reimbursement included in the 2025 budget.
  • Passed legislation to make lifesaving Epi-pens free, starting in 2025.
  • Co-chair for Senate commission on feasibility of a medical school at URI.
  • Supported reproductive health by passing bills to provide abortion insurance coverage for all and protecting providers of that care.
  • Passed a bill to reduce medical debt by mandating uninsured patients are screened for insurance eligibility before a hospital can bill them.
  • Successfully supported protections for RIers from annual and lifetime limits on health insurance benefits

Education

Every child deserves an effective and equitable public education that meets their unique social and emotional needs. Teachers and staff require resources and supports to meet these goals.
Education, from Pre-K through college/career training must be affordable and accessible for all Rhode Islanders. School funding must be fair, and resources need to be prioritized for social workers and counselors. As the wife of a teacher, I saw first-hand the learning losses inflicted by COVID-19, and I believe that students and teachers must be supported as they work to recover from these losses and meet the challenges of tomorrow.

My work on Education

  • Lead sponsor on a bill passed to promote arts education in our middle and high schools.
  • Passed legislation to require RIDE to develop type 1 diabetes informational materials for the parents and guardians of students that will be posted publicly on RIDE’s website. 
  • Successfully supported Hope scholarships at RI College.
  • Lead sponsor on enabling legislation for school construction projects in Barrington and Bristol/Warren.

Gun Violence Prevention

Gun violence is a preventable tragedy and its continued prevalence in American society makes everyone unsafe. Guns are the leading cause of death for children and adolescents and students continue to be traumatized by repetitive stories of school shootings, active-shooter drills and losing friends to accidental, violent, or self-inflicted gun deaths.
As a volunteer with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America for more than eight years, I have proudly advocated for laws that protect victims of domestic abuse, ban ghost guns, prohibit guns in schools, limit high-capacity magazines, prohibit open carry of loaded long guns and increase the age to own a gun to 21. We must continue to work to pass legislation that ensures safe gun storage and bans assault weapons. Weapons of war do not belong in our communities.

My work on Gun Violence Prevention

  • Lead sponsor on bill passed to mandate the Safe Storage of Firearms.
  • Participated in a White House convening on gun violence prevention.

Environment

Rhode Island is a special place, in large part because of our wonderful beaches, parks and open spaces. Our economy is dependent on the tourism that brings visitors to enjoy our natural environment alongside Rhode Islanders. The East Bay is incredibly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and sea level rise, and they are happening now. We must be bold and brisk as we move to lower carbon emissions, invest in the green economy, and help boost our community’s resiliency and adaptation efforts to cope with the changes happening now.  We must support policies that help to meet the goals in the 2020 Act on Climate legislation, while we also protect our open spaces and drinking water.

My work on the Environment

  • Passed legislation ensuring climate change will be a factor in future economic development.
  • Successfully supported a PFAS ban, Shoreline Access bill and state-wide Coastal Resiliency Plan.

Rights and Equality

Rhode Island was founded on principles of preserving liberty. Equality, equity and justice are ideals we must continue to work towards and resist any efforts to erode. We must recognize and remove the inequities for individuals of color and with disabilities. Woman’s rights, including income parity, and access to safe, affordable reproductive services, in including abortion care and adequate and safe childcare must be top priorities. We must support and protect the rights of our LGTBQ+ neighbors at school, work and in healthcare.

My work on Rights and Equality

  • Passed legislation that enables victims of sexual assault to submit a medical forensic exam performed within 15 days of the assault by a licensed health care provider in lieu of a police report in order to establish eligibility for funds from the Crime Victim Compensation Program.
  • Testified for and successfully supported the Healthcare Provider Shield Act, protecting providers of reproductive care and care offered to Transgender patients.
  • Supported LEOBOR reforms.

Seniors and Affordable Housing

Every individual deserves safe, affordable housing.
Seniors should be supported to age safely in their homes for as long as possible. Accessible and affordable transportation and in-home health services are essential.
I have been formally working on the issues of affordable housing for almost two years. Housing insecurity has only worsened with COVID-19 and we need to ensure that all Rhode Islanders have access to clean and affordable housing in all our communities.

My work on Seniors and Affordable Housing

  • Passed legislation to protect elderly in long-term care facilities and in the community.
  • Successfully supported multiple affordable housing bills, including the AARP priority for Accessible Dwelling Units.
  • Supported pension reforms for state retirees and veterans.