Rep. Penny Houston Appointed to NCSL Health Committee

ATLANTA – State Representative Penny Houston (R-Nashville) was recently appointed to serve on the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Environment Committee by House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge).

“I am grateful for the confidence the Speaker has shown in me by appointing me to this position,” said Rep. Houston. “Federal mandates to healthcare affect all Georgians, and this position on a national committee will allow me to learn from other states how Georgia might better handle changing federal requirements.”

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. Houston’s 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 Penny Houston represents the citizens of District 170, which includes portions of Tift County. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 1997, and currently serves as the Chairman of Subcommittee of Appropriations. She also serves on the Banks & Banking, Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Economic Development & Tourism, and Ways & Means committees.

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