FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 6, 2006
CONTACT: C. Chic Smith
301-443-1592 office / 202-689-4885 cell
Email: csmith@ahrq.gov / Web site: www.citizenshealthcare.gov
EUGENE AREA OFFERS INPUT ON NATIONAL HEALTH CARE DISCUSSION
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 Eugene, Ore., on Tuesday, April 18th, from 10:30 am - 2:30 pm. The community meeting will be held at the Hilton Hotel Eugene, 66 East 6th Avenue, Eugene, Oregon 97401. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is requested. Registration is available online at www.citizenshealthcare.gov. Onsite registration is also available.
“Oregonians have long recognized the importance of addressing the challenges in our health care system,” stated Dr. Frank Baumeister, of Portland, who sits on the Working Group. “This is an opportunity for us to contribute to solving our nation’s health care dilemma.”
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.
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 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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