Brian Shiozawa
Member of the Utah Senate
from the 8th[1] district
In office
January 1, 2013 – December 11, 2017
Preceded byKaren Morgan
Succeeded byBrian Zehnder
Personal details
NationalityAmerican
Political partyRepublican
SpouseJoye
Residence(s)Salt Lake City, Utah
Alma materStanford University
University of Washington
ProfessionEmergency physician
Websitevoteshiozawa.com

Brian E. Shiozawa[2] is an American politician and a Republican member of the Utah State Senate representing District 8 from January 1, 2013 to December 11, 2017.[3]

Early life, education, and career

Shiozawa earned his BS from Stanford University, his MD from the University of Washington, and his residency at the University of Utah. He is married to Joye, and together they have four children who are mostly grown up.[4] He is a long time resident of Cottonwood Heights.[4] He has been working full-time, for over twenty years, at St. Marks Hospital Emergency Department in Salt Lake City, Utah.[4] He is the Past President of the Utah Medical Association, which represents over 3000 physicians in the State of Utah.[4] Shiozawa says he is guided by his faith. He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[4]

Background

  • American College of Emergency Physicians (Fellow)
  • American Board of Emergency Medicine (board certified)
  • Utah Medical Association (Past President)
  • St. Marks Hospital (Board of Trustees)
  • Emergency Physicians Integrated Care (Board of Directors)
  • Utah Hospital Association (Board of Trustees)

Political career

In 2012 District 8 Democratic Senator Karen Morgan left the Legislature and her seat became open, Shiozawa was selected from among three candidates (a fourth withdrew) by the Republican convention for the November 6, 2012 General election, which he won with 22,156 votes (56.8%) against Democratic nominee Josie Valdez.[5] Before his election in 2012, Shiozawa served as Past President for the Medical Staff at St. Mark's Hospital, Chairman of the Credentials Committee at St. Mark's Hospital, a member of Governor's Healthcare Task Force, and a member of Lt. Governor's Taskforce on Medical Liability Reform.[6]

During the 2016 Legislative session, Shiozawa served on the following committees:[7]

  • Business, Economic Development, and Labor Appropriations Subcommittee (Senate Chair)
  • Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee
  • Senate Health and Human Services Committee
  • Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee

Legislation

2016 bills sponsored

Bill Number and Title[8]Bill Status
S.B. 4 Substitute Business, Economic Development, and Labor Base BudgetGovernor Signed 2/16/2016
S.B. 32 Reauthorization of Hospital Provider Assessment ActGovernor Signed 3/28/2016
S.B. 106 Assault Offense AmendmentsGovernor Signed 3/28/2016
S.B. 137 County Option Funding for Botanical, Cultural, Recreational, and Zoological Organizations and FacilitiesGovernor Signed 3/28/2016
S.B. 199 Skilled Nursing Facility AmendmentsGovernor Signed 3/28/2016
S.C.R 11 Concurrent Resolution Urging the Rescheduling of MarijuanaGovernor Signed 3/17/2016

Notable legislation

In 2014, Senator Shiozawa introduced SB 251, which gave a number of options for Medicaid expansion that is offered with the Affordable Care Act to help those in the "Medicaid gap." The “Medicaid gap” is a term used for low-income Utahns who live just above the poverty line—their incomes being slightly too high to qualify for Medicaid, but too low to afford private health insurance. Although SB 251 did not pass in its completeness, it gave Governor Herbert more options to deal with the Medicaid expansion problems facing Utah.[9]

Shiozawa also introduced SB 55 in 2014. This bill was passed and gives $1.5 million in one-time funding to expand a pilot program for Insurance companies to provide coverage for children with Autism, which Shiozawa believes would yield more accurate statistical data as a result. The bill did not pass in its original form, which would have required insurance coverage for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. However, it is a start that Senator Shiozawa thought was important.[10]

In 2016 Senator Shiozowa passed a concurrent resolution calling for the rescheduling of marijuana to a schedule II drug. The resolution also encourages researchers to study the benefits of the drug.[11]

References

  1. ↑ "Shiozawa, Brian E." Salt Lake City, Utah: Utah State Legislature. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Brian Shiozawa's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Moderate Utah GOP Sen. Brian Shiozawa resigns to take federal health post; Dem Kathie Allen says she’ll run for his seat," The Salt Lake Tribune, Dec. 11, 2017
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Brian Shiozawa M.D. Facebook". Facebook. Salt Lake City, Utah. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
  5. ↑ "2012 General Canvass Report". Salt Lake City, Utah: Lieutenant Governor of Utah. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Senator Brian Shiozawa". Salt Lake City, Utah: Utah State Senate. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
  7. ↑ "District 8 Senator - Utah State Senate". senate.utah.gov. Archived from the original on 2016-03-24. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
  8. ↑ "2012 General Legislation". Salt Lake City, Utah: Utah State Senate. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
  9. ↑ Michael Orton. "Shiozawa to Introduce Governor's Medicaid Expansion Amendment". Salt Lake City, Utah: Utah Political Capitol. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
  10. ↑ Cathy McKitrick. "Bill requiring insurance coverage for autism pared back". Salt Lake City, Utah: The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Resolution to Study Marijuana for Medical Use Advances to Senate | Utah Political Capitol". Retrieved 2016-03-30.
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