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Testimonials
One of the things Senator John Huppenthal enjoys most about being a State Senator is the chance to help people in need.
People have good things to say about the hard work of John Huppenthal...
Huppenthal Saved My Life
"If it weren't for your personal action, I'd be dead."
-Kelly Saterfield, heart transplant patient, tobacco tax funding
Huppenthal Responds to Constituent’s Medical Need
"As a diabetic I face many medical challenges. I’m continually at the mercy of doctors’
referrals and insurance providers. Anyone who has engaged the gantlet of managed care medicine, or who is without medical insurance coverage,
understands the frustrations in obtaining timely and affordable medical care.
One evening I read an article indicating that clinical laboratories could give lab tests without doctors’ referrals. I was thrilled to learn
that someone like me, who needed routine lab work for my diabetes, could go straight to the lab and obtain my tests without the extra time and
expense involved in a doctor’s referral. What the article neglected to mention is that I could only bypass the referral if I lived in a state
other than Arizona. In Arizona it was against the law.
I immediately contacted all 90-state legislators asking them why this was so, and if they would be willing to pass legislation to bypass referrals
for routine lab work. I received only one response from a legislator willing to help me. Rep. John Huppenthal (who did not even represent my district)
called me to discuss my objectives. He created legislation and held meetings with doctors, insurance company and lab representatives, myself and other
interested parties to iron out potential problems with this legislation. We ultimately reached a compromise that all parties could support, and
House Bill 2046 passed the House by a 58-0 vote, and the Senate by a 26-3 vote. This law [became] effective on August 25, 2004. I know without Rep. Huppenthal’s
help this legislation would never have seen the light of day.
If we had 90 legislators who responded to constituents’ concerns like Rep. Huppenthal responded to me, it would go a long way to solve many of the problems
in this state."
-Vicki Pierce
John Huppenthal Acted Immediately
"In March 1999 I suffered a catastrophic injury while apprehending a criminal in Tempe. A gunshot critically
wounded me, ripped apart my internal organs, and dramatically changed my life. I was instantly robbed of my ability to further my 14-year career with the
Tempe Police Dept. Years of operations deprived me of my ability to earn an income and plunged my family into continual financial stress.
For five years I’ve talked to legislators about the inadequate medical retirement benefits for catastrophically injured public safety officers. This problem
is especially crucial for young officers early in their careers. While many legislators were sympathetic to our struggle, Rep. John Huppenthal acted immediately.
Within four weeks of our contacting him, he successfully prime sponsored legislation to increase medical and disability support payments for catastrophically
injured police officers.
Working with Rep. Hupppenthal was quite an experience. He put me to work as part of a team helping to draft legislation. I was impressed by the process he
used to craft a legal solution without excessive government spending. Although I don’t personally benefit from the legislation, it gives me great pride to
know that officers who follow in my footsteps, and put their lives on the line, will not be subject to financial agony if they are incapacitated.
This legislation has made a significant impact on the quality of the lives of many injured officers. While they will continue to live with their disabilities
and the challenges they present, the state has gone a long way to help them with their financial burdens. For that we are grateful, and for Rep. Huppenthal’s
willingness to respond quickly to our need, we are particularly grateful."
-John Shaper, Retired Tempe Police Officer
(John Shaper was shot four times and critically wounded while coming to the aid of a woman being assaulted in Tempe.)
For Making Life a Priority, Thank You
“Our lives changed drastically when our beautiful daughter was born with a severe heart defect.
After months of surgeries and failures, a decision had to be made about her life.
After listening to our options of putting our daughter in an institution or taking her home on a ventilator, there was no question of our decision. We loved her dearly, and we did not bring a child into this world to leave in an institution.
We are thankful of the funding that is set aside for children with birth defects, but going through all of the emotional turmoil of sustaining the service is very frustrating.
After several letters to DDD/DES, with responses of regurgitated statutes, I sat down and wrote a letter to Senator John Huppenthal. Senator Huppenthal responded the day he received the letter. He got the people at DDD/DES to sit down and discuss the situation and come to an agreement. After all, this was not just a dollars-and-cents decision, this was a quality-of-life decision for a child.
We are very thankful he is our legislator and that he truly cares about the people he represents.
Our child passed away, but she had the best life we could give her, thanks to many people including Senator Huppenthal. We appreciate the time he took to help us make our child's life better.”
-Sara Goroski, Phoenix
(Excerpted from an Arizona Republic Letter to the Editor on June 8, 1997.)
"Senator Huppenthal changed state law to protect Kyrene from lawsuits."
-Brad Barrett, former Kyrene Superintendent
"When my husband developed Alzheimer's disease a state law required me to have legal counsel costing thousands a year. John Huppenthal passed legislation removing the requirement and saving me from bankruptcy while helping my husband."
-Eleanor Addision
"When a title company stole my life savings, Senator Huppenthal came to the rescue, recovering my money and reforming title company regulation."
-Ron Sturdy
"John Huppenthal led prime sponsored state law saving the career ladder program for teachers and gaining Arizona acceptance of performance pay for teachers. The career ladder program brings in over $3,000 a year for teachers in the Mesa, Chandler and Kyrene school districts."
-Sharyn Jennings, retired Mesa school teacher
"Senator Huppenthal responded quickly to the Corona Air Quality issue. He did his homework, involved the experts, and ensured that the issue would be resolved satisfactorily."
-Ben McCawley, parent of a Corona Del Sol High School student
Past Legislator of the Year Awards
Arizona Hospital Association
Arizona Mental Health Association
Arizona Cancer Society
Dental Hygienists' Association
Vocational Education Association
Association of Homes and Housing for the Elderly
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