I am Victoria Foley, and a freshman State Representative for House District 12, part of Biddeford. Although originally from Portland, I fell in love with our beautiful city and decided to call it home in 2016. Since then, I’ve joined city commissions, served on the City Council and volunteered my time with groups that are dedicated to improving our city.

As a new state legislator, there are several issues I care deeply about and have chosen to focus on. With my background as the Marketing Director for New England Cancer Specialists and my volunteer work with federally qualified health centers, something I am especially passionate about is increasing access to high-quality, affordable health care. I am grateful to sit on the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services (HCIFS) Committee, where I can fully immerse myself in this issue.

As a committee, we have heard many important bills that would better the lives of Mainers and increase access to health care while keeping costs down. Although I have sponsored and co-sponsored a few of the bills presented to the committee myself, typically I and my fellow committee members learn about the bill and what it sets out to accomplish through the public hearing and work session process. The public hearing provides the sponsor of the bill, invested organizations and anyone from the public an opportunity to come share their position with the committee. The work session that follows allows committee members to work closely with the sponsor of the legislation and with the legislative analyst to work through the nitty-gritty details of each bill.

This process is extremely important and one that I have thoroughly enjoyed. Without hearing from the public, we would be left to assume how the legislation being presented could affect and resonate with everyday Mainers. Sometimes the intent of a bill is good, but when it comes down to details and implementation, it may not be what’s best for the State or its residents.

A bill that I sponsored was recently voted out of committee with a unanimous Ought to Pass as Amended vote. The bill, LD 1260, An Act Regarding Short-term, Limited-duration Health Plans, aims to protect consumers by limiting these types of plans, and calling for increased transparency from insurance companies. The way short-term, limited-duration (STLD) plans are marketed often appeals to younger, healthier folks. These plans appear to be comprehensive, when in fact they are not – and consumers have to find that out the hard way. The bill requires insurers to make specific written disclosures related to the terms and benefits of the policy and prohibits the issuance of a policy without prior approval from the Superintendent of Insurance.

I co-sponsored LD 5, An Act To Require Notification of Proposed Rate Increases for Long-term Care policies, a bill that also aimed to increase transparency from insurance companies. Like LD 1260, the ultimate goal of this bill was to provide added protections for consumers. It was a proud moment to stand next to the Governor as she signed it into law last month.

There are so many great things happening in Augusta, and my work on the HCIFS Committee is only one of them. The people I get to work with every day are genuine, thoughtful people who truly care about each and every one of their constituents. I could not mean it more when I say it has been an absolute joy to be a freshman legislator in the 129^th Legislature. I have learned so much and am proud of the work we have done so far. I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to contact me about issues that are important to you. I read each email and note, and appreciate your input. Keep them coming!

 — State Rep. Victoria Foley is in her first term representing District 12 (Biddeford) in the Maine House of Representatives.