SAMHSA names new legislative director

SAMHSA named Peggie Rice as its new legislative director, serving as the chief liaison with Congress. She will work closely with constituency organizations as well.

In addition to her work on Capitol Hill, Rice has experience in working on behalf of the Department of Healht and Human Services (HHS) and other public health organizations on a wide range of behavioral health issues. She served as a legislative analyst with the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Legislation at HHS where she dealt directly with SAMHSA-related issues before Congress.

Most recently, she served as a health policy analyst at the Washington, D.C., office of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In addition, SAMHSA has hired Brian Payne to serve as a legislative analyst. He also has broad experience in dealing public health related matters on Capitol Hill.