Office sought: N.C. House 42
Party affiliation: Democrat
Lives: Spring Lake
Age: 66
Works: Physician
What’s your motivation for seeking office? My district will almost certainly send a Democrat to the General Assembly this year—the question is what kind of Democrat. As a medical doctor, a business owner, and a mother, I have seen what our community and state need. We have to make sure that the state implements Medicaid expansion properly, that hospitals let people know how much procedures will cost them, that we’re funding our public schools and protecting our clean air and water, and that we’re training and retaining the OB/GYNs, midwives, and nurse practitioners so people can get the care they need.
What uniquely qualifies you to serve? We need a representative with experience who also brings a new vision and gives a new voice to our district. As a working woman of color, a small business owner, an immigrant, an educator and a physician, who communicates with a diverse group of members of our community every day, I bring a vast experience on the table. My passion and fight for Democratic Principles is reflected in the OP EDs I have written and the talks I have given throughout the state on meaningful health care, school lunches, neighborhood safety and women’s rights.
Fill in the blank: The top three issues in my municipality/district are ____, ____ and ____; and I would promote positive change by _____. The top three issues in my district are 1: Quality public education, meaningful health care for all and economy which works for everyone. Education: Our teachers are underpaid and overworked. Our classrooms need more resources and our children deserve quality public education regardless of the zip codes they are born in. A greater portion of school funding comes through property taxes which results in stark differences in school poverty rates and leads to socio economic and racially segregated schools. Our state portion of this funding is a: Lowest in the nation ($11,651 vs. 15,047 national average) b: Distributed according to a very rigid formula. Siphoning public school funds to charter and private schools is another problem. I will look at Massachusetts, Minnesota and New Jersey models and strive to implement promising reforms. We have more than $6 billion dollars in reserves. I will advocate for increased spending per pupil and create initiatives and budget distribution which is more equitable. I will deprioritize test-based funding because it increases inequality and allocate more funds for school psychiatrists and nurses. I will strive to stop siphoning our public school resources to private schools. Health Care: Commercialization of our Medicare and Medicaid has complicated our complex health care system even further. Often our patients don’t understand the complexities and receive unexpected hospital bills. The customer service of these insurance companies is overseas call centers which not only provide poor service but also divert our jobs out of our country. Many health care facilities are refusing some of these plans which is added problem. Two recent studies by Bloomberg and Forbes suggest that our patients pay 8th highest premium in the country and our hospital mark ups are 1120 Percent higher than national average. Our high nurses to patient ratio are causing nurse burn out and they are forced to become travelling nurses which is affecting their personal and family lives. I will work to make transparency laws so that patients don’t get any surprises. I will not allow public funds to be diverted to overseas call centers and will make insurance companies which take our state funds more accountable. I will work tirelessly to bring increased funding for mental health services and substance abuse treatment. Economy: Rising housing prices is an economic strain on citizens of Cumberland County. Families should not spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing. Small businesses are back bone of our economy. I will fight for bringing better paying jobs, affordable housing and transportation to our district. Will invest in our infrastructure.
What new policies or practices would you bring to your municipality/district that do not already exist? I believe that representation involves listening to constituents and exercising my influence on their behalf. I will arrange a town hall meeting and public forums at least every three months to listen to and discuss the issues which are most important for my constituents regardless of their political affiliation. I believe that knowledge about my constituency is the most important tool to be an effective representative. I will visit schools, engage youth and student groups and talk to small business owners on regular basis. I will also start advisory committees including a cross section of people interested in those particular issues.
For more:
(910) 494-5704; Email: naveedazizmd@gmail.com
