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Harry Jasper
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Visiting The
Other Washington
The
National Rural Health Association’s Rural Health Fellows
(RHF) program is a year-long, intensive program that
will develop leaders who can articulate a clear and
compelling vision for rural America. Its first class
included three representatives from Washington: Sheryl
Lowe, Suzanne Rector, and WRHA’s new board member Harry
Jasper. Here Harry shares some of his experiences and
pictures:
Our D.C. trip was wonderful
and included visits with Senator Maria Cantwell, Senator
Patty Murray, Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers,
Representative Doc Hastings, Representative Dave
Reichert, and Representative Brian Baird. During our
discussion with Senator Cantwell, the question was
asked, “What do you believe the role of prevention is in
transforming our broken healthcare system?” – her reply
was clear and paraphrased as follows: we need to focus
on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of our
current system and we must find a way to move toward
wellness and prevention. Senator Cantwell, committed to
begin a discussion with healthcare leaders in the state
to develop a clear strategy to accomplish this aim of
improved health and healthcare with a focus on wellness
and prevention. I believe this simple meeting with
Senator Cantwell will lead to significant action. David
Olson offered to host our intial in-state meeting in
Moses Lake, WA; this would encourage a focus on rural
health.
Representative Cathy
McMorris Rodgers, along with her new D.C. health
legislative assistant, Kristin Geresché, shared her
continued strong support of rural health. Her
congressional district is the most rural in the state
spanning the eastern state line from Canada on the north
to Oregon on the south. She recognized that innovation
and collaboration are at the heart of rural living and
committed to work together as we strive to improve rural
health through the use of health IT and prevention.
These meetings are great
examples of the importance of staying involved in both
our state and national rural health associations. As we
come together our voices are unified as one voice for
rural health.
With Representative Doc
Hastings (L to R: Harry Jasper, Kris Sparks, Rep.
Hastings, David Olson)
With Representative Dave
Reichert (L to R: Suzanne Rector, David Olson, Kris
Sparks, Rep. Reichert, Harry Jasper)
With Representative Cathy
McMorris Rodgers (L to R: David Olson, Kris Sparks, Rep.
McMorris Rodgers, Suzanne Rector, Harry Jasper)
With Senator Maria
Cantwell (L to R: Harry Jasper, Suzanne Rector,
Sen.Cantwell, Sheryl Lowe, David Olson)
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