Senator Joe Sam Queen Recognized as Hemophilia of North Carolina Legislator of the Year
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Dozens of members of Hemophilia of North Carolina met at the State Legislative Building in Raleigh this week to recognize the work of Senator Joe Sam Queen of North Carolina's 47th Senate District.
Senator Queen, working for the people in the hemophilia community since coming to Raleigh in 2002, earned the distinction through his work in health policy and support of understanding and championing the needs of those with a rare chronic illness.
"To advance legislation in a complex policy area, such as Medicaid, allies like Senator Queen are an invaluable resource to Hemophilia patients and their families," said association member Leonard Poe. Poe presented Senator Queen the 2009 Legislator of the Year award as association members looked on.
"I understand the challenges you face in health care with getting the proper treatment and medicine. I'm pleased to be able to support the hemophilia community and honored to receive this award today," Senator Queen said.
The individuals gathered in Raleigh to promote legislative interests and to visit with their elected officials. Hemophilia patients must use expensive drug products to treat their disorders, but with the proper treatment and support live very productive and normal lives. North Carolina funds a safety net program to assist families of Hemophilia patients with medical and other expenses. Additionally, the State's Medicaid regulations allow patients the freedom to choose medications that work best for them.
Hemophilia of North Carolina is a non-profit organization whose goal is to assist, involve and educate persons affected by bleeding disorders and to educate the medical community and the public about bleeding disorders. When a person has a bleeding disorder, blood platelets do not work as they should, or the person does not have enough platelets, and clotting does not occur as it would in a normal person.