Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth H. Roberts was inaugurated as the 68th lieutenant governor of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations on January 2, 2007, making history as the first female elected to the position. In November 2006, Roberts bested a three-way field for an overwhelming 20-point victory, including winning 36 of Rhode Island's 39 cities and towns.
Prior to taking office, Lieutenant Governor Roberts spent over a decade distinguishing herself as one of Rhode Island's most respected advocates for quality, affordable healthcare for every family and has built a statewide reputation for being a tireless leader on health and medical issues. Throughout her career, she has also been a leader in economic development and job growth, pushing for cleaner air and water, stronger schools, and increased attention to our disaster preparedness.
Roberts is leading the fight to ensure that all Rhode Islanders have access to high quality health care at a cost they can afford. In October 2007, Roberts launched Mission: Healthy RI, an advisory work group of representatives from the medical community, the insurance industry, hospitals, business owners, labor leaders, consumers, advocates and other stakeholders. This broad based group has worked with Roberts over several months as she moved the state toward a plan to insure all Rhode Islanders. The culmination of Mission: Healthy RI came in February 2008 with the introduction of the Rhode Island Healthy Reform Act of 2008, Roberts'eight part, comprehensive, health care reform package.
Roberts' current health reform work builds off of her successful five terms in the Rhode Island State Senate where she led the fight to reform the state's largest health care insurer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, as co-chair of Permanent Joint Committee on Healthcare Oversight. Her leadership and efforts helped refocus the non-profit's mission to provide affordable health care and increased accountability to the public that Blue Cross serves. Roberts also formerly served as the chairwoman of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
As a senator, she was a uniting force in making insurance more affordable for small businesses by working closely with medical professionals, hospital administrators, insurers, business owners and consumers to find creative solutions. In 2005, she helped create the Office of Health Insurance Commissioner to oversee insurance companies and health care costs and, in 2006, she sponsored legislation to create a public/private partnership to reduce the burden of health care costs on small businesses.
Roberts is also a leading voice for expanded biomedical research in Rhode Island. During her first year as lieutenant governor, Roberts released a report on the future of stem cell research in Rhode Island and is currently working to facilitate greater access to stem cells for researchers and patients in Rhode Island through public cord blood donations. Robert has also fostered extensive and effective interstate collaboration through her office's participation in the Interstate Alliance on Stem Cell Research. In March, Robert will be the key note speaker to the McGowan Institute for Regenerate Medicine's annual national conference.
Roberts serves as chair of the Long Term Care Coordinating Council, the Small Business Advocacy Council, and the Emergency Management Advisory Council. In her work on the Long Term Care Coordinating Council, Roberts is pushing to expand community-based care for seniors and people with disabilities, while making long-term care more valuable for every taxpayer. Roberts and the Long Term Care Coordinating Council have also been leaders in public discussion of the legislature's review of the operations at the Rhode Island Veterans' Home. Through Roberts' leadership, the Small Business Advocacy Council has focused on ensuring small business owners have a voice in government. The council includes representatives of all Rhode Island's chambers of commerce, large businesses and small businesses, which make up over 95 percent of Rhode Island's economy. The council has focused on the rising costs of health care for employers, state investments in small business development and changes to the fire code to give businesses a voice in the review process.
As chair of the Emergency Management Advisory Council, Roberts has played a key role in working with state emergency management officials and the Rhode Island National Guard to ensure Rhode Island's preparedness for events like hurricanes and terrorist attacks. Roberts' close working relationship with the Rhode Island National Guard has been further strengthened through programs like Operation Holiday Cheer, the Military Family Relief Fund, and the Garden of Heroes, a memorial honoring all Rhode Island service members who have lost their lives in the line of service since September 11, 2001.
A staunch supporter of reproductive rights, Roberts was endorsed by all of the major pro-choice advocacy organizations including Planned Parenthood and Emily's List. As lieutenant governor, Roberts is the highest ranking state official that supports a women's right to choose.
Roberts graduated from Brown University in 1978 and earned an MBA in healthcare management from Boston University. Before going to the Senate, Roberts worked as a business strategy consultant, policy analyst, and healthcare manager. She is married to Thomas Roberts and they have two daughters, Kathleen and Nora. The Roberts have been residents of Cranston's Edgewood section for more than 20 years.