Joan Breslin Pitkin

During her twenty four years in office, Delegate Pitkin made cancer prevention measures a prime concern and became a nationally recognized health care advocate for introducing landmark health care proposals which have become models for and set standards for the country. Her bills were often passed without the backing of leadership or powerful lobbyists. For example; her work resulted in Maryland being one of two states in the nation to require full disclosure in breast cancer treatment alternatives and in legally instituting the two-step mastectomy choice.

Delegate Pitkin often worked with the Maryland Commission for Women and groups such as The Maryland Women's Health Coalition to help them develop their annual legislative agendas. Through membership on the Maryland Women's Health Promotion Council, the state Cancer Council and as a member of the Women's Caucus, Legislative Committee, Pitkin assisted both professional and citizen groups in the development of their legislative programs and priorities. In the 2000 session, as vice chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Resources, Pitkin, along with several other members, negotiated with state and county health departments; hospital representatives; community health centers and provider groups; scientists; researchers and other academics; constituent members of the Cancer, Heart and Lung associations; and many others in a collaborative effort to determine how the Cigarette Restitution Fund from the Global Tobacco Settlement would be distributed, now and in the future.