HINJ Honors Assemblyman Benson with Bob Franks Award

On Sep 15, 2020

The HealthCare Institute of New Jersey (HINJ) recognized Assemblyman Dan Benson (D-14) with the Bob Franks Public Service Award for demonstrating the spirit of public service that Franks exemplified while in public office and as President and Chief Executive Officer of HINJ.

HINJ President and Chief Executive Officer Dean J. Paranicas congratulated the assemblyman, noting that he works his constituents and patients to “advance medical innovation in the interest of advancing human health and our innovation ecosystem.”

In presenting the award, HINJ board of trustees Chair Jack Cox, senior director of market access strategy at Novo Nordisk Inc., said, “Like Bob Franks, Dan Benson made the decision early that he was going to devote his life to public service, beginning his career in elected office at a young age. And like Bob, he practices a congenial, collaborative brand of politics and policy: bringing all stakeholders to the table and reaching across the aisle to work towards consensus, and supporting policies that are truly in the best interest of the public.”

Assemblyman Benson began his career in elected office with four years on the Hamilton Town Council at the age of 27 before serving as a Mercer County Freeholder for four years and then joining the General Assembly in January 2011. Assemblyman Benson currently serves as chair of the Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee and sits on the Health and Budget Committees. He is currently serving his fourth term.

The assemblyman also is known as a true patient advocate, sponsoring bills such as requiring health insurers to provide plans that limit patient cost-sharing for certain prescription drug coverage-, which was enacted in January, and pending legislation to create a State Rare Disease Advisory Council.

In accepting the award, Assemblyman Benson noted that he “goes to work every day and tries to make things a little better. It is important that we continue every day in Trenton to make sure that people have access to healthcare,” he said. “These are unprecedented times.”

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