FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 10, 2006
CONTACT: C. Chic Smith
301-443-1592 office / 202-689-4885 cell
Email: csmith@ahrq.gov / Web site: www.citizenshealthcare.gov
SAN ANTONIO WEIGHS IN ON NATIONAL HEALTH CARE DISCUSSION
Citizens' recommendations to be considered by Congress, White House
Washington, D.C. – Residents of the San Antonio metropolitan area will participate in a community dialogue on health care in America presented by the Citizens’ Health Care Working Group. The community meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 19th, from 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm at the San Fernando Cathedral, AT&T Community Center, 231 W. Commerce, San Antonio, TX 78205. The meeting is free and open to the public, but registration is requested. Registration is available online at www.citizenshealthcare.gov. Onsite registration is also available.
"As a nurse, I see first hand the challenges individuals face in navigating the health care system right here in Texas,” stated Rosie Perez, a registered nurse who is Vice President of Mission Integration and Outreach Services in San Antonio and a member of the Working Group. "Since Texas has a tradition of doing things big, I look forward to hearing from everyone.”
This community meeting is one of more than 30 taking place throughout the nation. At the conclusion of the community meetings, the Working Group will develop recommendations which the President will review and on which five Congressional Committees will hold hearings.
The community meetings feature a multimedia presentation that provides information on the nation’s health care system followed by moderated discussion of what health care services should be provided, how they should be delivered and financed, and trade-offs Americans are willing to make to improve the system. In addition, community members are encouraged to share their opinions and views by using the Public Comment Center, the Citizens’ Blogs and Discussion Forums at www.citizenshealthcare.gov. Reports from completed meetings are also available.
The Working Group, a nonpartisan group authorized by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, is charged with listening to the views of the American people and developing recommendations for the President and Congress to provide U.S. citizens with “Health Care that Works for All Americans.” The Health Report to the American People was released in October and serves as a basis to engage the American people in a dialogue on health care access, cost and quality issues. The Working Group consists of 15 members -- 14 citizens of diverse backgrounds from across the country, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
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