Government Affairs Committee
NRHA's Government Affairs Committee (GAC) develops and implements strategies to ensure that the association's rural health priorities are addressed and communicated. The GAC members works with the government affairs staff to develop and advance the association's legislative and regulatory agenda.
The responsibilities of NRHA’s Government Affairs Committee members are to:
- Provide technical expertise to staff on legislative and regulatory issues
- Educate and inform policymakers about policy and advocacy priorities as recommended by the Rural Health Congress and approved by the Board of Trustees
- Make recommendations to the Rural Health Congress on issues requiring their review and approval
- Ensure the Association’s guiding principles and mission are promoted through its advocacy program
Government Affairs Committee Roster
The Government Affairs Committee consists of up to thirty (30) members, including one representative from each constituency group and council, the Chair leadership across the association, and the balance consisting of at-large members. Appointments shall be made based on an individual’s technical assistance expertise, leadership abilities, interest in advocacy and policy, general willingness to participate, and the needs of the committee to achieve geographic and subject matter expertise balance.
| GAC Chair Robert Duehmig Portland, Ore. | GAC Staff Liaison Carrie Cochran-McClain Washington, D.C. |
| GAC Representatives | |
| Kevin Bennett, Ph.D. Columbia, S.C. | Brian Bertsch Sioux Falls, S.D. |
| Julie Bosak North Conway, N.H. | Kelly Braun University Park, Penn. |
| Vicki Brooks Fort Worth, Tex. | Elizabeth Crouch Columbia, S.C. |
| R. Scott Daniels Hilo, Hi. | Ed Friedmann Redfield, Iowa |
| Isela Garcia Las Cruces, N.M. | Carla Gibson Overland Park, Kan. |
| Joshua Gilmore Talkeetna, Al. | Elizabeth Hall-Lipsy Tucson, Ariz. |
| Jed Hansen Papillion, Neb. | Denae Hebert Napoleonville, Louis. |
| Mark Holmes Chapel Hill, N.C. | Kathy Hsu Wibberly Charlottesville, Va. |
| David Jordan Hutchinson, Kan. | Jeremy Levin Sauk City, Wisc. |
| Josh Martin Elma, Wash. | Katie McLaughlin Hibbling, Minn. |
| Mary-Katherine McNatt. Kirksville, Mo. | Michelle Mills Aurora, Colo. |
| Lori Rodefeld Sauk City, Wisc. | Sarah Scruggs Princeton, Ill. |
| Mina Tanaka Shiprock, N.M. | Gary Wingrove Florida City, Fla. |
| Tim Wolters Bolivar, Mo. |