Dr. Richard Carmona, former Surgeon General of the United States, and Dr. J. Lyle Bootman, dean of the University of Arizona’s College of Pharmacy, will help lead discussion about the future of health care
Click here to view the Congresswoman's presentation from the event.
TUCSON – U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords today will host a public discussion about healthcare reform legislation that soon will come before Congress.
The goal of the Town Hall is to allow the congresswoman to hear the views of her constituents as lawmakers prepares to consider healthcare reform legislation later this summer. Anyone with an interest in healthcare issues is encouraged to attend.
The discussion begins at 6 p.m. at Sahuaro High School, 545 N. Camino Seco. The public will have the opportunity to ask questions or make brief statements. Anyone planning to attend should RSVP to Giffords’ Tucson District Office at 520-881-3588.
As of Tuesday morning, more than 600 Southern Arizonans have made reservations to attend. Due to the large crowd, the length of the Town Hall has been extended by 30 minutes.
Joining Giffords at her Town Hall on Healthcare will be numerous experts, consumer advocates and representatives from the business community. Among them will be Dr. Richard Carmona, the former Surgeon General of the United States, and J. Lyle Bootman, the dean of the top-ranked University of Arizona College of Pharmacy.
“Dr. Carmona and Dr. Bootman are nationally recognized leaders on healthcare,” said Giffords. “I am honored to have them join me in a discussion that will help us understand one of the most complex and important public policy issues facing our country today.”
“Healthcare impacts every single Arizonan,” said Giffords. “Whether you’re rich, poor or middle class, you have a stake in this discussion. Whether you’re a Democrat, Republican or independent, you need to make your voices heard.”
In addition to Carmona and Bootman, the congresswoman has invited 14 Arizonans to provide various perspectives on healthcare. They are:
- Paul Kappelman, CEO, Northwest Medical Center
- Jim Murphy, CEO, Pima Council on Aging
- Howard Stewart, CEO, AGM Container Controls and representing NFIB
- Carolyn Trowbridge, Representing SEIU and Healthcare for America Now
- Byron Schlomach, Director, Center for Economic Prosperity
- Clarke Romans, Executive Director, NAMI, Southern Arizona
- Robert Guerrero, Chief, Office of Border Health, Arizona Department of Health Services
- David Mitchell, Director, Arizona AARP
- Dr. Barbara Warren, supporting a single payer healthcare system
- Wendell Hicks, Executive Director, Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation
- Paul Parisi, Vice President, Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
- Laurie Jurs MPH, Retired Rural Health Clinic Administrator
- Ray Magnuson, Legislative Director, Southern Arizona Association of Health Underwriters
- Eric Schindler, CEO, Child and Family Resources