FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: (February 14, 2006)
CONTACT: C. Chic Smith
301-443-1592 office / 202-689-4885 cell
Email: csmith@ahrq.gov / Web site: www.citizenshealthcare.gov
SEATTLE JOINS NATIONWIDE DISCUSSION ON HEALTH CARE
Citizens’ recommendations to be considered by Congress, White House
Washington, D.C.– Residents of the Seattle 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 Saturday, February 25th, from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm at the Seattle Center – Northwest Rooms, Snoqualmie Room, 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA. Seattle-based Washington Health Foundation is assisting in local recruitment. The meeting is free and open to the public, but registration is requested. Registration is available by phone at 206-349-6718 or online at www.citizenshealthcare.gov.
“The Washington Health Foundation is proud to partner with the Citizens’ Health Care Working Group to bring a diverse group of individuals together around health care,” said Greg Vigdor, President and CEO of the Washington Health Foundation. “This community forum will provide an opportunity for Washingtonians to share their thoughts and values around health care with Congress – and hopefully will affect positive change at the national.”
The community meeting will feature a multimedia presentation that provides information on the nation’s health care system including problems related to cost, quality, and access to care. This will be followed by more focused discussions in small groups. Participants will share their ideas about how to improve the health care system.
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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