Former lt. gov. named policy head at Mayforth

Charles J. Fogerty /
Charles J. Fogerty /

Charles J. Fogarty has been named policy director at the Mayforth Group. He will be responsible for helping clients navigate federal governmental agencies while advocating their position to elected officials. Fogarty served as Rhode Island’s lieutenant governor from 1999 through 2007.

PBN: How does the Mayforth Group reach and respond to the needs of its clients?
FOGARTY: We meet with business owners several times before a contractual agreement is made because we want to ensure a good chemistry, a thorough understanding of their business, and clear articulation of government-affairs objectives. Our success is contingent upon building partnerships with clients. Therefore, good communication and mutual trust are the cornerstones.

PBN: As a recognized expert on long-term health care with an understanding of the legislative process, do you see issues omitted from the federal health care reform debate that might be addressed by the state?
FOGARTY: The health care reform debate going on in Congress is one of the most important issues being addressed. … If changes are not made, premiums will continue to skyrocket, more people will become uninsured, uncompensated care costs will cripple hospitals and thousands of families will face bankruptcy because of medical bills. … The federal government should help ensure all Americans have access to quality, affordable health insurance through an exchange, encourage competition among insurers to control premium increases and prohibit discrimination due to pre-existing conditions. Rhode Island should continue its work to be a leader in health-information-exchange technology, cover all our kids for health care and require insurers to extend family coverage to all dependent children up to age 26.

PBN: What do you think Rhode Island could do to help bolster economic development?
FOGARTY: I’ve always maintained that the state needs to focus more on the small-business sector and with a new governor coming into office; we have the opportunity to do so. Let’s make our state the fastest in the nation to set up a business, to encourage entrepreneurs and keep our college graduates in state. Let’s streamline the permitting process and set up centers that can deal with both state and local permits at the same time. Let’s start a pilot program to allow people to get a lump-sum unemployment benefit if they agree to use it to start up a business in state. We need to think outside the box, to be creative and to use our small size to its advantage. •

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