NAHU Awards Two Senators Its Top Advocacy Honor

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 -- The National Association of Health Underwriters issued the following news release:

The National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU) is pleased to present Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) with the coveted Spirit of Independence Award for their bipartisan efforts to introduce legislation to stabilize the health insurance market.

Every year, NAHU awards an individual who exhibits an independent spirit and provide outstanding service to America with a focus on healthcare issues. This year NAHU will honor two recipients for this top advocacy honor. Alexander and Murray join an esteemed list of past recipients that includes key policymakers, White House advisors and other healthcare leaders.

Senator Alexander chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. Alexander was first elected to the Senate in 2002 and has been re-elected twice. His Republican colleagues elected him three times to be chairman of the Senate Republican Conference.

Senator Murray is the first female senator from the state of Washington. She is the ranking member of the HELP Committee, which is the committee of jurisdiction for the majority of healthcare legislation.

"Senators Alexander and Murray are wonderful examples of what understanding and experience can bring to the discussion of healthcare reform. Their dedication to improve healthcare not only in their respective states but also to contribute to national efforts to make healthcare better for all Americans truly embodies the best of what this award represents," said NAHU CEO Janet Trautwein.

"Their unwavering bipartisan support of the private health insurance delivery system exemplifies the American spirit of cultivating small-business growth and providing families access to affordable, high-quality healthcare. NAHU is honored to work with Senators Alexander and Murray on solutions to protect the future health and well-being of all Americans."