Senator Gordon Smith Recognized for His Strong Leadership Protecting Health Care Coverage

Smith Receives Families USA Health Care Heroes Award

Washington, D.C. - Families USA, the national organization for health care consumers, presented Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) with the Health Care Heroes Award at its annual Health Action conference. This award, given by Families USA for the first time, recognizes Senator Smith’s outstanding leadership and contributions on behalf of our nation's health care consumers.

Senator Smith was distinguished with this honor for playing a heroic role in opposing the Administration’s dramatic cutbacks in Medicaid and for his continued work protecting and expanding low-income families’ health care coverage. For example, this year he has already played a major leadership role by circulating a letter to Republican senators seeking additional funds for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

He has also distinguished himself with his leadership on mental health issues by striving to put an end to the current discrimination that exists between physical and mental health.

“Senator Smith has been the most effective advocate protecting the Medicaid program and its 53 million beneficiaries,” said Ron Pollack, Executive Director of Families USA. “He is committed to protecting the program, has shown a strong commitment and leadership role in this effort, and that is why Families USA is honoring him with this much-deserved award.”

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Families USA is the national organization for health care consumers. It is nonprofit and nonpartisan and advocates for high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

1201 New York Avenue NW, Suite 1100 · Washington, DC 20005
202-628-3030 · Email: info@familiesusa.org · www.familiesusa.org