FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 26, 2006
CONTACT: C. Chic Smith
301-443-1592 office / 202-689-4885 cell
Email: csmith@ahrq.gov / Web site: www.citizenshealthcare.gov
SALT LAKE CITY PARTICIPATES IN NATIONAL DISCUSSION ON HEALTH CARE
Citizens' recommendations to be considered by Congress, White House
Washington, D.C. – The Citizens’ Health Care Working Group will host a community dialogue on health care in America in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, May 6th, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Salt Lake City Marriott Downtown, 75 South West Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84101. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is requested. Registration is available online at www.citizenshealthcare.gov.
“The issues of access, cost and quality facing residents of Utah mirror the difficulties in health care across the nation. We must give serious thought to this very important issue – fixing the health care system,” said Brent James, a physician and vice president of Intermountain Healthcare. James, of Salt Lake City, is a member of the Working Group and a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.
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, Citizens’ Blog and Discussion Forums at www.citizenshealthcare.gov.
This community meeting is one of three dozen 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 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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