‘Government Changes When You Bring Change to It’: A Q&A with Elizabeth Roberts

This year’s Constitution Day speaker is a leader in health care reform and women’s political empowerment.

Elizabeth Roberts, the first woman to serve as Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island, will speak on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 4:30 p.m. in the Neilson Library Browsing Room to mark Constitution and Citizenship Day.

Roberts’ address, “The Federalist Papers: 2014” will focus on the critical role that states play in U.S. democracy, said Professor of Government Alice Hearst, who organized the event.

“People forget how much power the states have,” Hearst said. “And while people usually think of states as conservative, they can also be innovative.”

That has certainly been Roberts’ experience in Rhode Island, where she championed health care reform during 10 years as a member of her state’s senate. Since her election in 2007 as lieutenant governor, Roberts has continued those efforts as chair of the Rhode Island Healthcare Reform Commission, a body appointed by the governor and charged with implementing the federal Affordable Care Act.

Roberts has a special connection to Smith as the parent of a recent graduate, Mark Roberts ’14.

Here’s what Lt. Gov. Roberts had to say about the role of the states in health care reform—and women’s role in politics.

What does health care reform reveal about the role of the states?

Elizabeth Roberts: “Health care reform is an example of the tension built into our Constitution between the states and the federal government—their authority and responsibilities. It’s probably the most visible place that tension has played out since desegregation.”

What’s been the reaction to health care reform in Rhode Island?

Roberts: “A lot of the political polarization has been less about health care and more about federal overreaching. I would go into public meetings where people were furious with the idea because, ‘How can the government be telling me what to do?’ Now that the (federal) Affordable Care Act is being implemented, health care is seen more as a program and less as government. Polls show it’s become more popular with the public.”

What conclusions have you drawn about federal/state relations?

Roberts: “In New England, we tend to be on the federal side of this issue. Particularly for a tiny state like Rhode Island, we see an advantage to the muscle and resources that the federal government brings. Where we were in a struggle with the federal government was in wanting to reform health care and having them put up barriers. With the Affordable Care Act, the federal government has become a partner in reform. We are now in the top three states in the country for enrolling people in new health care coverage.”

What lessons have you learned about women in government?

Roberts: “When I was elected as lieutenant governor seven years ago, there was not a woman in a major office in my state. In yesterday’s primary (September 9), a woman won our Democratic Party nomination for governor and secretary of state, and a Republican woman won her party’s nomination for lieutenant governor. It’s still a tougher environment than it should be for women. But we could potentially have three of five general offices in Rhode Island filled by women after the general election.”

Why don’t more women run for state office?

Roberts: “Legislative bodies are still a struggle for women. Often women will talk themselves out of running because they think they’re not qualified. Politics is also looked on as a tough business and a nasty business. One of my goals has been to show that government changes when you bring change to it.”

What are you most looking forward to about speaking at Smith?

Roberts: “I really like speaking to young people, and young women in particular, about the political process and running for office. As an elected official, you set the agenda and create the conversation. I didn’t start out to be in politics. I studied science and worked for years in hospitals and health insurance. I want young women to know you don’t have to start out shaking the President’s hand to get into politics. Maybe someone will hear that and say, ‘This is a path for me.’”

Elizabeth Roberts, the first woman to serve as lieutenant governor of Rhode Island, is this year's Constitution Day speaker at Smith.