Rep. Anne Graham, D-North Yarmouth, was named 2024 Legislator of the Year by Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The organization highlighted Graham’s legislative work to increase access to behavioral health care, preventative care and other necessary services for children on Cub Care, a health insurance program that provides free or low-cost health coverage for children and young adults who do not qualify for full MaineCare benefits.

“I am proud to work alongside the Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics to improve children’s behavioral health services and health care access,” said Graham in a news release. “As a pediatric nurse practitioner for over 35 years, I have spent my entire career working to support our youth to make sure they are happy, healthy and have all they opportunities they deserve. I am so grateful for the opportunity to continue this work in the Legislature.”

Last legislative session, Graham sponsored a bill to increase access to behavioral health services for children and individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism, which was signed by the governor as an emergency measure. This session, she has sponsored bills that improve coordination of health care for minors in state care, support behavioral health clinics, and bolster hunger prevention programs.

The Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics is a membership organization of over 200 doctors who work with children and adolescents across the state. The Maine chapter provides education for members and works with policymakers to improve health care for children in Maine.