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“We are patients just like you.”
August 7, 2009 | 11 Comments
All day and night the mainstream media runs interviews with opponents of health care reform – people who tell us that everything is peachy keen with our system. We’re informed by Congressmen/women and Senators (Republican) how the government will socialise medicine and kill old people while they themselves have the best healthcare in the world paid for by the taxpayers. Our Senators and Congresscritters get government-sponsored healthcare for LIFE, even if they serve only for one term.
Government sucks so bad, but they want to be part of it and want to have a government-run healthcare plan that they wish to deny the very citizens who pay their bills.
Opponents of healthcare reform tell us how
- Canadians are the Brits dropping dead because of poor healthcare options
- the Obama healthcare plan will target “white babies”.
- those of us who feel defrauded by the healthcare system and insurance companies are fascists and commies who hate America
- Americans are just thrilled with “the best healthcare system in the world”
Democratic congresspersons who schedule town hall meetings to discuss healthcare reform are shouted down by people who are brought in to violently disrupt the proceedings. Some Congressmen have received death threats.
The corporate lobbyists and interest groups who transport people to disrupt these town hall meetings pay a much lower tax-rate than their secretaries. These billionaires inform us day in and day out on the airwaves, that “we are patients just like you” and that we should trust them to do what is in our best interests. So who exactly are these folks who claim to know what we want or need? What do they look and sound like? How much like us are they?
Here’s a list of town hall meetings scheduled around the country. Show up and speak up. Do not let your voice be drowned.
Alaska
Sen. Mark Begich
• 09/26 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Town Hall – Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Dena’ina Center, 555 W 5th Ave, Anchorage, AK, 99501
Alabama
Rep. Jo Bonner
• 08/17 09:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Town Hall – Mobile Regional Senior Community Center, 3201 Hillcrest Road, Mobile, AL, 36695
• 08/17 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Town Hall – Tillman’s Corner Community Center, 5055 Carol Plantation Road, Tillman’s Corner, AL, 36619
• 08/17 01:30 PM – 02:30 PM: Town Hall – Town Hall, 1011 Bienville Boulevard, Dauphin Island, AL, 36528
• 08/17 03:30 PM – 04:30 PM: Town Hall – City Hall, 224 N Craft Highway, Chickasaw, AL, 36611
• 08/18 08:30 AM – 09:30 AM: Town Hall – City Hall, 19125 S Mobile Street, Citronelle, AL, 36522
• 08/18 02:00 PM – 03:00 PM: Town Hall – Town Hall, 105 2nd Avenue, Millry, AL, 36558
• 08/18 04:00 PM – 05:00 PM: Town Hall – Town Hall, 111 S Church Street, Grove Hill, AL, 36451
• 08/19 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Town Hall – Old Monroe County Courthouse, 31 N Alabama Avenue, Monroeville, AL, 36460
• 08/19 01:30 PM – 02:30 PM: Town Hall – Volunteer Fire Department, 93 Highway 59, Uriah, AL, 36480
• 08/19 03:30 PM – 04:30 PM: Town Hall – Stage Coach Restaurant, 52860 Highway 59, Stockton, AL, 36579
• 08/20 08:00 AM – 09:00 AM: Town Hall – City Hall, 301 D’Olive Street, Bay Minette, AL, 36507
• 08/20 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Town Hall – Poarch Creek Indian Reservation Auditorium, 5811 Jack Springs Road, Atmore, AL, 36502
• 08/20 02:00 PM – 03:00 PM: Town Hall – City Hall, 615 Forrest Ave, East Brewton, AL, 36426
• 08/21 09:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Town Hall – City Hall, 22647 Racine Street, Robertsdale, AL, 36567
• 08/21 01:30 PM – 02:30 PM: Town Hall – Perdido Beach Volunteer Fire Department, 8450 Escambia Avenue, Perdido Beach, AL, 36530
• 08/21 03:00 PM – 04:00 PM: Town Hall – City Hall, 4480 Orange Beach Boulevard, Orange Beach, AL, 36561
Arkansas
Rep. John Boozman
• 08/28 09:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Mobile Office – Marion County Senior Center, 5966 Highway 202 West, Flippin, AR, 72634
Arizona
Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick
• 08/06 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM: Chat with Ann – Safeway, 702 W. Hopi Drive, Holbrook, AZ, 86025
Rep. Trent Franks
• 08/22 01:00 PM: Town Hall – First Assembly of God Church, 1850 Gates Avenue, Kingsland, AZ, 86401
California
Rep. Susan Davis
• 08/24 06:00 PM – 07:00 PM: Consumer Credit and Identity Theft Workshop – Bayside Community Center, 2202 Comstock Street, San Diego, CA, 92111
• 08/25 06:00 PM – 07:00 PM: Water Workshop – USD Joan Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA, 92110
• 08/26 12:30 PM – 02:30 PM: Grants Workshop – NTC Promenade Command Center, 2640 Historic Decatur Road, San Diego, CA, 92106
• 08/29 01:00 PM – 02:00 PM: Neighborhood Day – Spring Valley Branch Library, 836 Kempton Street, Spring Valley, CA, 91977
Rep. Sam Farr
• 08/10 06:00 PM – : Monterey Town Hall – Monterey Institute of International Studies Irvine Auditorium, 499 Pierce Street, Monterey, CA, 93940
• 08/11 06:00 PM – : Santa Cruz Town Hall – First Congregational Church, 900 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060
• 08/12 06:00 PM: Hollister Town Hall – San Benito County Board of Supervisors Chambers, 481 Fourth Street, Hollister, CA, 95023
• 08/31 06:00 PM: Salinas Town Hall – Salinas City Hall Rotunda, 200 Lincoln Avenue, Salinas, CA, 93901
• 09/02 06:00 PM: King City Town Hall – King City Council Chambers, 212 S. Vanderhurst Avenue, King City, CA, 93930
• 09/03 06:00 PM: Watsonville Town Hall – Watsonville City Council Chambers, 275 Main Street, 4th Floor, Watsonville, CA, 95076
Rep. Dan Lungren
• 08/18 07:00 PM – 08:30 PM: Town Hall – Citrus Heights City Hall, 6237 Fountain Square Drive, Citrus Heights, CA, 95621
• 08/22 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Town Hall – Jackson City Hall, 33 Broadway, Jackson, CA, 95642
• 08/26 07:00 PM – 08:30 PM: Town Hall – Rancho Cordova City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Drive, Rancho Cordova, CA, 95670
Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard
• 08/08 09:00 AM – 02:00 PM: Open Foreclosure Forum – Downey Adult School, 12340 Woodruff Avenue, Downey, CA, 90241
Rep Ed Royce
• 08/08 01:00 PM: Town Hall – Placentia City Hall , 401 E Chapman Ave, Placentia, CA
Rep. Adam Schiff
• 08/11 07:00 PM – 08:30 PM: Health Care Town Hall – Alhambra Civic Center Library Community Room, 101 S. First Street, Alhambra CA.
Rep. Jackie Speier
• 08/11 07:00 PM: Telephone Town Hall – To sign up, e-mail ca12housecall@mail.house.gov.
• 08/20 05:00 PM – 7:30 PM: Town Hall Booth – San Carlos Hot Harvest Nights, 700 Block, Laurel Street, San Carlos, CA
• 08/23 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Congress on the Coast – Cypress Meadows Conference Center, 343 Cypress Avenue, Moss Beach, CA, 94038
• 08/29 09:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Family Day – Burton Park, 900 Chestnut Street, San Carlos, CA, 94070
Rep. Fortney Stark
• 08/15 09:00 AM: Town Hall Meeting – Fremont Senior Center, 40086 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont, CA, 94538
• 08/15 10:30 AM: Town Hall Meeting – San Leandro City Hall, 835 E 14th Street, San Leandro, CA, 94577
• 08/15 12:00 PM: Town Hall Meeting – Alameda City Hall, 2263 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda, CA, 94501
• 09/12 09:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Town Hall Meeting – Ruggieri Senior Center, 33997 Alvarado Niles Road, Union City, CA, 94587
• 09/12 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Town Hall Meeting – Hayward City Hall Council Chambers, 777 B Street, Hayward, CA, 94541
• 09/12 12:00 PM – 01:00 PM: Town Hall Meeting – Alameda City Hall Council Chambers, 2263 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda, CA, 94501
Rep. Diane Watson
• 08/07 01:00 PM – 03:00 PM: Open Small Business Forum – Los Angeles District Office, 4322 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angelos, CA, 90010
Rep. Henry Waxman
• 08/21 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Climate Change Forum – Korn Hall, University of California, Los Angeles, 110 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA
Colorado
Rep. Ed Perlmutter
• 08/08 01:00 PM: Government in the Grocery – King Soopers , 500 Bromley Lane, Brighton, CO, 80601
Connecticut
Rep. Joe Courtney
• 08/06 06:00 PM: Town Hall – Woodstock Academy, 57 Academy Road, Woodstock, CT, 06281
Florida
Rep. Alan Boyd
• 08/12 01:30 PM: Community Forum – Live Oak City Hall Annex, 416 Howard Street East, Live Oak, FL
• 08/12 05:00 PM: Community Forum – Jefferson County Courthouse, Courtroom, Monticello, FL
• 08/17 10:00 AM: Community Forum – Cross City Woman’s Club, NE 134 Street Cross City, FL
• 08/17 01:00 PM: Community Forum – Lafayette County Community Center, 150 SW Community Circle, Mayo, FL
• 08/17 03:00 PM: Community Forum – Perry Woman’s Club, 502 N Jefferson Street, Perry, FL
• 08/18 10:00 AM (CDT): Community Forum – Location TBD- Blountstown, FL
• 08/18 02:00 PM: Community Forum – Location TDB – Bristol, FL
• 08/19 10:00 AM (CDT): Community Forum – Location TBD Marianna, FL
• 08/25 09:00 AM: Community Forum – Wakulla County Senior Citizens Center, 33 Michael Drive, Crawfordville, FL
• 08/25 01:00 PM: Community Forum – William A. “Bill” McGill Library, 732 Pat Thomas Highway, Quincy, FL
• 08/25 06:00 PM: Community Forum – City of Tallahassee City Hall, 300 South Adams Street, Tallahassee, FL
• 08/26 10:00 AM: Community Forum – Location TBD – Port St. Joe, FL
• 08/26 01:00 PM: Community Forum – Location TBD – Apalachicola, FL
• 08/28 05:30 PM: Community Forum – Location TBD – Panama City, FL
Rep. Kathy Castor
• 09/02 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Office Hours – Jan K Platt Library, 3910 S. Manhattan Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33611
Georgia
Rep. David Scott
• 08/15 10:00 AM – 02:00 PM: District Health Fair – Mundy’s Mill High School, 9652 Fayetteville Road, Jonesboro, GA, 30238
Iowa
Sen. Charles Grassley
• 08/12 09:15 AM – 10:15 AM: Madison County Town Hall Meeting – Winterset Public Library, 123 North 2nd Street, Winterset, IA, 50273
• 08/12 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM: Union County Town Hall Meeting – Afton City Hall Council Chambers, 115 East Kansas Street, Afton, IA, 50830
• 08/12 02:30 PM – 03:30 PM: Guthrie County Town Hall Meeting – Panora Community Center, 115 West Main Street, Panora, IA, 50216
• 08/12 04:30 PM – 05:30 PM: Dallas County Town Hall Meeting – Adel Public Library Meeting Room, 303 South 10th Street, Adel, IA, 50003
Illinois
Rep. Danny Davis
• 08/15 10:00 AM: Back-to-School Event – Kickoff Central and Bloomingdale, N. Central Avenue and Bloomingdale Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60639
• 08/15 01:00 PM: Back-to-School Event – Columbus Park, S. Central Avenue and W. Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL, 60644
• 08/22 09:00 AM: State of the district Town Hall – Malcolm X College, 1900 West Van Buren, Chicago, IL, 60612
• 08/29 09:30 AM: Town Hall – 2nd Baptist Church of Maywood, 36 South 13th Avenue, Maywood, IL, 60153
Rep. Jesse Jackson
• 08/18 06:00 PM – 07:30 PM: Town Hall – Sheldon Heights Church of Christ, 11249 S. Halstead Street, Chicago, IL, 60628
Rep. Timothy Johnson
• 08/10 07:00 PM – 08:00 PM: Town Hall – Pontiac City Hall, 115 W. Howard Street, Pontiac, IL, 61764
Rep. Janice Schakowsky
• 08/31 06:30 PM: Town Hall – Niles West High School Auditorium, 5701 Oakton Street, Skokie, IL, 60077
Kansas
Rep. Jerry Moran
• 08/13 01:00 PM – 02:00 PM: County Tour Stop – Chamber of Commerce, 306 N. Main Street, McPherson, KS, 67460
• 08/13 02:30 PM – 03:30 PM: County Tour Stop – Tabor College Wolhgemuth Music Education Center, 400 South Jefferson Street, Hillsboro, KS, 67063
• 08/13 04:30 PM – 05:30 PM: County Tour Stop – TBD, Cottonwood Falls, KS,
• 08/18 07:30 AM – 08:30 AM: County Tour Stop – Morton County Civic Center, 400 E. Orchard, Elkhart, KS,
• 08/18 09:15 AM – 10:15 AM: County Tour Stop – Common Grounds, 531 S. Main Street, Hugoton, KS,
• 08/18 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: County Tour Stop – Chamber of Commerce, 4 Rock Island Road, Liberal, KS,
Rep. Dennis Moore
• 09/01 09:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Town Hall – Cleveland Chiropractic College, 10850 Lowell Avenue, Overland Park, KS 66210
Maryland
Sen. Ben Cardin
• 08/10 07:00 PM: Town Hall – Towson University Center for the Arts, Harold J. Kaplan Concert Hall, Corner of Cross Campus and Osler Drives, Towson, MD 21204
• 08/12 01:00 PM : Town Hall – Hagerstown Community College, Kepler Theater, 11400 Robinwood Drive, Hagerstown, MD 21742
Rep. Donna Edwards
• 08/06 06:00 PM – 07:30 PM: Town Hall – Oxon Hill Branch Library, 6200 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill, MD, 20745
Massachussetts
Rep. Niki Tsongas
• 08/08 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Congress on Your Corner – Chelmsford Town Hall Gymnasium, 50 Billerica Road, Chelmsford, MA
• 08/18 05:00 PM – 07:00 PM: Congress on Your Corner – Market Basket on Essex Street, Lawrence, MA,
Michigan
Rep. John Dingell
• 08/06 06:00 PM – 09:00 PM: Town Hall – Romulus Athletic Center, 35765 Northline Road, Romulus, MI 48174
Rep. Gary Peters
• 08/06 04:00 PM – 06:00 PM: Tea Party Rally – District Offices of Congressman Gary Peters, 560 Kirts Blvd. #105, Troy, MI
Minnesota
Rep. Keith Ellison
• 08/24 06:00 PM – 08:00 PM: Transportation Forum – TBA, MN
Mississippi
Rep. Gene Taylor
• 08/17 06:00 PM – 07:30 PM: Town Hall – Pelican Landing Conference Center, 6217 Highway 613, Moss Point, MS, 39563
Missouri
Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver
• 08/08 08:00 AM – 10:00 PM: Coffee with Cleaver – J.P. Coffeehouse, 3390 SW Fascination Dr, Lee Summit, MO, 64063 (Must Register for this event)
Rep. Sam Graves
• 08/12 11:00 AM: Main Street Matters Listening Tour – Carrollton Public Library, 1 N. Folger St, Carrollton, MO
• 08/12 12:45 PM: Main Street Matters Listening Tour – Knights of Columbus Hall, Brunswick, MO
• 08/12 03:00 PM: Main Street Matters Listening Tour – Howard Electric Cooperative, 205 Highway 5 and 240, Fayette, MO
• 08/12 05:00 PM: Main Street Matters Listening Tour – Hannah Cole Primary School, 1700 W. Ashley Road, Boonville, MO
• 08/13 01:00 PM: Main Street Matters Listening Tour – Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Jackson St & Green St, Lancaster, MO
• 08/13 02:45 PM: Main Street Matters Listening Tour – Putnam County Middle School Auditorium, 802 S 18th, Unionville, MO
• 08/13 04:30 PM: Main Street Matters Listening Tour – Milan Community Center, 205 N Market St, Milan, MO
Sen. Claire McCaskill
• 08/10 09:00 AM: Open Forum – Southeast Missouri State University, 1230 First Street, Kennett, MO, 63857
• 08/10 12:00 PM: Kitchen Table Meeting with a Represenative from Senator McCaskill’s Office – City Hall, 711 S. Main St., Grain Valley, MO (Senator Will Not Be Present)
• 08/10 02:30 PM: Open Forum – Three Rivers Community College, 2080 Three Rivers Boulevard, Poplar Bluff, MO, 63901
• 08/10 06:00 PM: Kitchen Table Meeting with a Represenative from Senator McCaskill’s Office – Blue Springs South Library, 2220 S. 7 Hwy, Blue Springs, MO (Senator Will Not Be Present)
• 08/11 12:00 PM: Kitchen Table Meeting with a Represenative from Senator McCaskill’s Office – 2320 S. Broadway, Oak Grove, MO (Senator Will Not Be Present)
• 08/20: Kitchen Table Meeting with a Represenative from Senator McCaskill’s Office – Kansas City Area – Location and Time TBD (Senator May Be Present)
• 08/21: Kitchen Table Meeting with a Represenative from Senator McCaskill’s Office – Kansas City Area – Location and Time TBD (Senator May Be Present)
Montana
Rep. Denny Rehberg
• 08/06 09:00 AM: Listening Session – Columbus City Hall, 408 East 1st Avenue, Plentywood, MT, 59254
• 08/06 12:00 PM: Listening Session – U.S. Forest Service Building, 225 Big Timber Loop Road, Big Timber, MT, 59011
• 08/06 03:00 PM: Listening Session – Park County Courthouse Community Room, 414 E Callender Street #2, Livingston, MT, 59047
• 08/07 09:00 AM: Listening Session – Courthouse Courtroom, 107 Kemp Street, Ryegate, MT, 59074
• 08/07 11:00 AM: Listening Session – Harlowton Public Library Conference Room, 13 South Central Avenue, Harlowton, MT, 59085
• 08/07 03:00 PM: Listening Session – White Sulphur Springs City Hall Meeting Room, 105 West Hampton, White Sulphur Springs, MT, 59645
• 08/10 10:00 AM: Listening Session – Courthouse Courtroom, 301 East Main Street, Winnett, MT, 59087
• 08/10 02:00 PM: Listening Session – Courthouse Courtroom, 352 Leavitt Avenue, Jordan, MT, 59337
• 08/11 09:00 AM: Listening Session – Glasgow Civic Center, 319 3rd Street South, Glasgow, MT, 59230
• 08/11 11:30 AM: Listening Session – Courthouse Courtroom, 314 South 2nd Avenue West, Malta, MT, 59538
• 08/12 11:30 AM: Listening Session – Courthouse Courtroom, 1308 Franklin Street, Fort Benton, MT, 59442
• 08/12 03:00 PM: Listening Session – Courthouse Courtroom, 111 1st Street East, Chester, MT, 59522
• 08/13 10:00 AM: Listening Session – Courthouse MSU Extension Conference Room, 31 1st Avenue, Stanford, MT, 59479
• 08/13 01:00 PM: Listening Session – Central Montana Community Center, 307 West Watson Street, Lewistown, MT, 59457
• 08/28 11:00 AM: Listening Session – Courthouse Courtroom, 226 1st Street South, Shelby, MT, 5947
• 08/28 03:00 PM: Listening Session – Cut Bank Voting Center, 913 East Railroad Street, Cut Bank, MT, 59427
Nebraska
Rep. Adrian Smith
• 08/06 11:30 AM: Town Hall Luncheon – Lexington Senior Center, 407 East 6th Street, Lexington, NE, 68850
• 08/07 10:00 AM: Mobile Office Hours – Courthouse, 301 N Jeffers Street, North Platte, NE, 69101
• 08/10 09:45 AM: Mobile Office – Courthouse Commissioner Boardroom, 325 Main Street, Harrison, NE, 69346
• 08/10 12:30 PM: Community Luncheon – Prairie Pines, 900 West 7th Street, Chadron, NE, 69337
• 08/11 09:30 AM: Mobile Office – Farmers Cooperative Elevator Company, 317 Osborn Street, Hemingford, NE, 69348
• 08/11 12:45 PM: Mobile Office – Hay Springs Senior Center, 125 N Main Street, Hay Springs, NE, 69347
• 08/11 02:30 PM: Mobile Office – Sheridan County Fairgrounds, E. 3rd Street, Gordon, NE, 69343
• 08/12 11:30 AM: Mobile Office – 310 Courthouse Drive, 310 Courthouse Drive, Springview, NE, 68778
• 08/12 02:15 PM: Mobile Office – Courthouse, 148 W. 4th Street, Ainsworth, NE, 69210
• 08/14 03:45 PM: Mobile Office – Courthouse Drivers License Room, 1111 13th Street, Aurora, NE, 68818
New Hampshire
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen
• 08/6 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Health Care Townhall – Grafton Town Hall, E Grafton Rd. Grafton, NH 03240
New Jersey
Rep. Leonard Lance
• 08/06 12:00 PM – 2:00PM: Mobile Office Hours – Cranford Community Center, 220 Walnut Avenue Cranford, NJ (Representative Lance May or May Not Be In Attendance)
• 08/11 4:30 PM – 6:30PM: Mobile Office Hours – Hillsborough Public Library, 379 South Branch Road, Hillsborough, NJ (Representative Lance May or May Not Be In Attendance)
• 08/12 12:00PM – 2:00pm: Mobile Office Hours – South Plainfield Senior Center Picnic, 90 Maple Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ (Representative Lance May or May Not Be In Attendance)
• 08/17 10:00 AM – 12:00PM: Mobile Office Hours- Montgomery Senior Center, 356 Skillman Road, Montgomery, NJ (Representative Lance May or May Not Be In Attendance)
• 08/18 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM: Mobile Office Hours- Summit Library, 75 Maple Street, Summit, NJ (Representative Lance May or May Not Be In Attendance)
• 08/19 4:30 PM-6:30 PM: Mobile Office Hours – The Bridgewater Library,1 Vogt Drive, Bridgewater, NJ (Representative Lance May or May Not Be In Attendance)
• 08/26 4:30 PM – 6:30PM: Mobile Office Hours- Edison Public Library, 777 Grove Avenue, Edison, NJ (Representative Lance May or May Not Be In Attendance)
Rep. Frank Pallone Jr.
• 08/24 07:00 PM – 09:00PM: Town Hall – Piscataway Municipal Building, 455 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ
• 08/25 07:00 PM – 09:00PM: Town Hall – Red Bank Municipal Building, 90 Monmouth St, Red Bank, NJ
Rep. Steven Rothman
• 08/10 07:00 AM – 09:00 PM: Listening Session – Borough Hall, 182 Market Street, Elmwood Park, NJ, 07407
• 08/10 01:00 PM – 03:00 PM: Listening Session – Borough Hall, 214 Ridge Road, North Arlington, NJ, 07031
• 08/11 07:00 AM – 09:00 PM: Listening Session – Municipal Complex, 275 Broad Avenue, Palisades Park, NJ, 07650
• 08/11 01:00 PM – 03:00 PM: Listening Session – Senior Center, 24 Union Boulevard, Wallington, NJ, 07057
• 08/12 07:00 AM – 09:00 PM: Listening Session – Borough Hall, 176 Park Avenue, Rutherford, NJ, 07070
• 08/12 01:00 PM – 03:00 PM: Listening Session – Municipal Complex, 10 Kahn Terrace, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 07632
• 08/13 01:00 PM – 03:00 PM: Listening Session – Municipal Complex, 1203 Paterson Plank Road, Secaucus, NJ, 07094
• 08/13 07:00 PM – 09:00 PM: Listening Session – City Hall, 65 Central Avenue, Hackensack, NJ, 07601
• 08/14 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Listening Session – Borough Hall, 510 Route 46 West, Teterboro, NJ, 07608
• 08/14 01:00 PM – 03:00 PM: Listening Session – Borough Hall, 59 Anderson Avenue, Fairview, NJ, 07022
New Mexico
Rep. Martin Heinrich
• 08/22 02:30 PM – 04:00 PM: Congress On Your Corner – Jerry’s Market, 7553 Isleta Boulevard SW., Albuquerque, NM, 87105
• 09/12 12:30 PM – 02:00 PM: Congress On Your Corner – MAC’s La Sierra Restaurant, 6217 Central Avenue NW, Bernalillo, NM, 87105
• 09/19 12:30 PM – 02:00 PM: Congress On Your Corner – Kathy’s Carry Out, 823 Isleta Boulevard SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87105
• 09/26 12:30 PM – 02:00 PM: Congress On Your Corner – Pro’s Ranch Market, 4201 Central Avenue, NW., Albuquerque, NM, 87105
• 10/03 12:30 PM – 02:00 PM: Congress On Your Corner – Abuelita’s, 6083 Isleta Boulevard SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87105
North Carolina
Rep. Patrick McHenry
• 08/06 06:00 PM: Town Hall – Spruce Pine Public Library Community Meeting Room, 142 Walnut Avenue, Spruce Pine, NC, 28777
• 08/10 06:00 PM: Town Hall – Mooresville Town Hall Town Commissioners Chamber, 413 North Main Street, Mooresville, NC, 28655
• 08/11 06:00 PM: Town Hall – Hickory City Hall City Council Chambers, 76 North Center Street, Hickory, NC, 28601
• 08/12 06:00 PM: Town Hall – James Warren Lincoln County Citizens Center Commissioners Chambers, 115 West Main Street, Lincolnton, NC, 28092
• 08/13 06:00 PM: Town Hall – Lenoir Library Meeting Room 6, Lower Level, 120 Hospital Avenue, Lenoir, NC, 28645
• 08/17 06:00 PM: Town Hall – Western Piedmont Community College Phifer Learning Resource Center (LRC), Second Floor, Room 120, 1001 Burkemont Avenue, Morganton, NC, 28655
• 08/18 06:00 PM: Town Hall – Rutherford County Schools Offices School Board Chambers, 382 West Main Street, Forest City, NC, 28043
• 08/19 06:00 PM: Town Hall – Cherryville Fire Department, 411 East Church Street, Cherryville, NC, 28021
• 08/20 06:00 PM: Town Hall – Charles A. Harry Cleveland County Administration Building County Commissioners Chambers, 311 East Marion Street, Shelby, NC, 28151
Oklahoma
Rep. Tom Cole
• 08/11 12:00 PM: Town Hall – Moore Public Library Room A, 225 S. Howard Avenue, Moore, OK, 73160
• 08/13 12:00 PM: Town Hall – Cameron University CETES Conference Center, 2800 W. Gore Boulevard, Lawton, OK, 73505
• 08/26 05:30 PM: Town Hall – East Central University Estep Center, 1100 East 14th Street, Ada, OK, 74820
• 08/27 12:00 PM: Town Hall – Ardmore Public Library, 320 E Street NW, Ardmore, OK, 73401
Rep. Frank Lucas
• 08/06 09:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Town Hall – Fire Department Community Room, 115 E. Main Street, Hinton, OK, 73047
• 08/06 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Town Hall – Anadarko City Hall, 501 W. Virginia Avenue, Anadarko, OK, 73005
• 08/06 02:00 PM – 03:00 PM: Town Hall – Western Technology Center Seminar Room, 1000 S. Bailey Street, Hobart, OK, 73651
• 08/06 04:00 PM – 05:00 PM: Town Hall – Western Oklahoma State College Room H-9, 2801 N. Main Street, Altus, OK, 73521
• 08/07 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Town Hall – Hollis Civic Center, 208 W. Jones Street, Hollis, OK, 73550
• 08/07 01:30 PM – 02:30 PM: Town Hall – Mangum Brick Company Conference Room, 2316 N. Louis Tittle Avenue, Mangum, OK, 73554
• 08/07 04:00 PM – 05:00 PM: Town Hall – Cordell Police Department Community Room, 105 W. Main Street, Cordell, OK, 73632
• 08/19 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Town Hall – Medford City Hall, 615 North Front Street, Medford, OK, 73759
• 08/19 01:00 PM – 02:00 PM: Town Hall – Newkirk Public Library, 116 North Maple Avenue, Newkirk, OK, 74647
• 08/19 02:30 PM – 03:30 PM: Town Hall – Kay Electric Kay Room, 300 West Doolin Avenue, Blackwell, OK, 74631
• 08/19 04:00 PM – 05:00 PM: Town Hall – City Hall Commission Chamber, 516 East Grand Avenue, Ponca, OK, 74601
• 08/20 09:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Town Hall – Park Pavilion, Casey’s Trail and Highway 64, Morrison, OK, 73061
• 08/20 12:00 PM – 01:00 PM: Town Hall – Perry Municipal Building, 729 Cedar Street, Perry, OK, 73077
• 08/20 01:30 PM – 02:30 PM: Town Hall – Billings City Hall, 122 West Main Street, Billings, OK, 74630
• 08/20 04:00 PM – 05:00 PM: Town Hall – Autry Technology Center Room 22, 1201 West Willow Road, Enid, OK, 73703
• 08/21 12:00 PM – 01:00 PM: Town Hall – Northwest Oklahoma State University Wyatt Room in Student Center, 709 Oklahoma Boulevard, Alva, OK, 73717
• 08/21 01:30 PM – 02:30 PM: Town Hall – Alfalfa Farm Bureau, 113 South Grand Avenue, Cherokee, OK, 73728
• 08/21 03:30 PM – 04:30 PM: Town Hall – City Hall Community Room, 123 S. 6th Avenue, Fairview, OK, 73737
Oregon
Rep. Kurt Schrader
• 08/06 12:00 PM – 01:00 PM: Congress on Your Corner – Pelican Pub and Brewery, 33180 Cape Kiwanda Drive, Pacific City, OR, 97112
• 08/06 05:30 PM – 06:30 PM: Congress on Your Corner – The Spouting Horn Restaurant, 110 E Highway 101, Depoe Bay, OR, 97341
• 08/07 08:30 AM – 09:30 AM: Congress on Your Corner – The Red Door Cafe, 34 South Coast Highway, Newport, OR, 97365
Rep. David Wu
• 08/10 05:00 PM – 06:00 PM: Town Hall – McMinnville Police Station, 121 SW Adams Street, McMinnville, OR, 97128
• 08/11 12:00 PM – 01:00 PM: Town Hall – Good Samaritan Hospital Building 2 Auditorium, 1040 NW 22nd Avenue, Portland, OR, 97210
• 08/13 04:00 PM – 05:00 PM: Town Hall – Seaside Public Library, 1131 Broadway Street, Seaside, OR, 97138
• 08/14 04:00 PM – 05:00 PM: Town Hall – Columbia Learning Center, 375 South 18th Street, St. Helens, OR, 97051
Pennsylvania
Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper
• 08/08 09:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Hike and Bike/Congress in the Community – Presque Isle State Park, 301 Peninsula Drive # 1, Erie, PA, 16505
• 08/15 11:00 AM – 01:00 AM: Hike and Bike/Congress in the Community – Buhl Farm Park, 730 Forker Boulevard, Sharon, PA, 16146
• 08/19 10:00 AM: Seniors Walk with the Congresswoman – Warren Senior Center, 800 Pennsylvania Avenue W., Warren, PA, 16365
• 08/20 06:30 PM – 08:00 PM: Hike and Bike/Congress in the Community – Armstrong Trail, Armstrong Road, Armstrong, PA, 16041
• 09/26 11:00 AM – 01:00 PM: Hike and Bike/Congress in the Community – Allegheny River Trail, 6297 Emlenton Clintonville Road, Emlenton, PA, 16373
Sen. Arlen Specter
• 08/11 09:30 AM: Town Meeting – HACC – Lebanon Campus Multipurpose Room, 735 Cumberland Street, Lebanon, PA, 17042
• 08/11 03:45 PM: Town Meeting – Bucknell University Trout Auditorium, 701 Moore Avenue, Lewisburg, PA, 17837
• 08/12 08:30 AM: Town Meeting – The Penn Stater President’s Hall 4, 215 Innovation Boulevard, State College, PA, 16803
• 08/13 03:30 PM: Town Meeting – Belmont Complex, 415 Butler Road, Kittanning, PA, 16201
Rhode Isand
Rep. Jim Langevin
• 09/03 06:00PM – 08:00 PM: Community Day – Westerly Town Hall, 45 Broad St. Westerly, RI
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse
• 08/26 Time-TBD: Community Dinner – Johnston Senior Center, 14 Priscilla Ln , Johnston, RI
• TBD – Community Dinner in West Warwick
South Carolina
Rep. Bob Inglis
• 08/06 07:00 PM: Town Meeting – Upstate Family Resource Center, 1850 Old Furnace Road, Boiling Springs, SC, 29316
• 08/17 07:00 PM: Town Meeting – Sue Cleveland Elementary School, 375 Woodmont School Road, Piedmont, SC, 29673
• 08/18 07:00 PM: Town Meeting – Travelers Rest Library, 17 Center Street, Travelers Rest, SC, 29390
• 08/20 07:00 PM: Town Meeting – R.D. Anderson Applied Tech. Ctr., 1151 Moore Duncan Hwy 290, Moore, SC, 29369
• 08/24 07:00 PM: Town Meeting – New Prospect Elementary School, 9251 Highway 9, Inman, SC, 29349
• 08/25 07:00 PM: Town Meeting – Lake Forest Elementary, 16 Berkshire Avenue, Greenville, SC, 29615
Tennessee
Rep Steven Cohen
• 08/11 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Town Hall – BRIDGES Center 477 North 5th Street, Memphis, TN 38105
Sen. Bob Corker
• 08/11 05:00 PM – 06:00 PM: Town Hall – Holy Spirit Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 14615 Highway 194 South, Oakland,TN 38060
Texas
Rep. Joe Barton
• 08/17 12:00 PM – 01:00 PM: Town Hall – Community Center, 141 North Pearl Street, Marquez, TX, 77865
• 08/17 05:00 PM – 06:00 PM: Town Hall – Lovelady Church of Christ Fellowship Hall, 150 South Read Street, Lovelady, TX, 75851
• 08/19 06:00 PM – 07:00 PM: Town Hall – Mansfield City Hall Council Chamber, 1200 East Broad Street, Mansfield, TX, 76063
• 08/19 07:30 PM – 08:30 PM: Town Hall – Kennedale City Hall Council Chambers, 405 Municipal Drive, Kennedale, TX, 76060
• 08/20 06:00 PM – 07:00 PM: Town Hall – Arlington City Hall Council Chambers, 101 West Abram Street, Arlington, TX, 76004
• 08/27 12:30 PM – 01:30 PM: Town Hall – Wortham Presbyterian Church, 201 South 3rd Street, Wortham, TX, 76693
Rep. Michael Burgess
• 08/08 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Town Hall – Center for the Visual Arts, 400 East Hickory Street, Denton, TX, 76201
• 08/08 02:00 PM – 03:00 PM: Town Hall – North Central Texas College Administration Building, Little Theater, 1525 California Street, Gainesville, TX, 76240
Utah
Rep. Jason Chaffetz
• 08/25 07:00 PM: Town Hall – Utah County Courthouse 3rd Floor Ballroom, 51 S. University avenue, Provo, UT, 84601
• 08/26 07:00 PM: Town Hall – South Jordan Library, 10673 S. Redwood Road, South Jordan, UT, 84095
• 09/02 01:00 PM: Town Hall – Greenwood Student Center, 250 E. College Avenue, UT
• 09/02 05:00 PM: Town Hall – Old Territorial Statehouse, 50 W. Capitol, Fillmore, UT, 84631
• 09/02 07:00 PM: Town Hall – Delta City Office, 76 N. 200 W., Delta, UT, 84624
Virginia
Rep. Rick Boucher
• 08/18 09:00 AM: Town Hall – New River Valley Community College Edwards Hall, Dublin, VA,
• 08/20 09:00 AM: Town Hall – Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, Abingdon, VA,
Rep. James Moran
• 08/25 07:00 PM – 09:00 PM: Town Hall – South Lakes High School , 11400 South Lakes Drive, Reston, VA,
Rep. Tom Perriello
• 08/06 06:00 PM – 08:00 PM: Tom In Your Town – Chatham Middle School, 11650 Highway 29 N., Chatham, VA, 24531
• 08/07 06:00 PM – 08:00 PM: Tom In Your Town – Halifax High School, 310 High School Circle, South Boston, VA, 24592
• 08/08 11:00 AM – 01:00 PM: Tom In Your Town – Bedford Elementary School, 806 Tiger Trail, Bedford, VA, 24523
• 08/10 06:00 PM – 08:00 PM: Tom In Your Town – Ruckersville Elementary School, 105 Progress Place, Ruckersville, VA, 22968
• 08/11 06:00 PM – 08:00 PM: Tom In Your Town – Charlottesville High-MLK Performing Arts Center, 1400 Melbourne Road, Charlottesville, VA, 22901
• 08/17 06:00 PM – 08:00 PM: Tom In Your Town – Fluvanna County School Board Office, 14455 James Madison Highway, Palmyra, VA, 22963
• 08/18 06:00 PM – 08:00 PM: Tom In Your Town – Charlotte Court House, 250 LeGrande Avenue, Charlotte Court House, VA, 23923
• 08/19 06:00 PM – 08:00 PM: Tom In Your Town – Kenbridge Community Center Auditorium, 511 E. 5th Avenue, Kenbridge, VA, 23944
• 08/20 05:30 PM – 07:30 PM: Tom In Your Town – The Nelson Center, 8445 Thomas Nelson Highway, Lovingston, VA, 22949
• 08/21 06:00 PM – 08:00 PM: Tom In Your Town – Mecklenburg County School Board Office, 175 Mayfield Drive, Boydton, VA, 23917
• 08/22 01:00 PM – 03:00 PM: Tom In Your Town – Tiger Express, 137 W. Hicks Street, Lawrenceville, VA, 23868
• 08/24 06:00 PM – 08:00 PM: Tom In Your Town – Buckingham Middle School Auditorium, 1184 High School Road, Buckingham, VA, 23921
• 08/25 06:00 PM – 08:00 PM: Tom In Your Town – Prince Edward Middle School Cafeteria, 35 Eagle Drive, Farmville, VA, 23901
• 08/26 06:00 PM – 08:00 PM: Tom In Your Town – Cumberland Restaurant, 1465 Anderson Highway, Cumberland, VA, 23040
• 08/27 06:00 PM – 08:00 PM: Tom In Your Town – Victory Hall, 401 Valley Street, Scottsville, VA, 24590
• 08/28 06:00 PM – 08:00 PM: Tom In Your Town – Campbell County Technical Center, 194 Dennis Riddle Drive, Rustburg, VA, 24588
• 08/29 11:00 AM – 01:00 PM: Tom In Your Town – The Franklin Center for Advanced Learning, 50 Claiborne Avenue, Rocky Mount, VA, 24151
• 08/31 06:00 PM – 08:00 PM: Tom In Your Town – Appomattox Community Center, 220 Community Lane, Appomattox, VA, 24522
Vermont
Sen. Bernard Sanders
• 08/07 12:00 PM: Radio Show
• 08/14 12:00 PM: Radio Show
• 08/21 12:00 PM: Radio Show
• 08/28 12:00 PM: Radio Show
Washington
Rep. Rick Larsen
• 08/06 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Conversations with Veterans – American Legion Post #129, 690 SE Barrington Drive, Oak Harbor, WA, 98277
• 08/07 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Conversations with Veterans – Everett Community College Baker Hall, 2000 Tower Street, Everett, WA, 98201
• 08/08 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Conversations with Veterans – American Legion Post #43, 701 Murdock Street, Sedro Woolley, WA, 98284
• 08/10 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Conversations with Veterans – American Legion Post #163, 110 First Street, Friday Harbor, WA, 98250
Rep. Adam Smith
• 08/25 07:00 PM – 08:30 PM: Town Hall – Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main Street SW, Lakewood, WA, 98499
Wisconsin
Rep. Thomas Petri
• 08/06 09:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Town Hall – City Hall Council Chambers, 205 South Webster Avenue, Omro, WI, 54963
• 08/07 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Town Hall – Village Hall Community Center, 913 South Wisconsin Drive, Howards Grove, WI, 53083
• 08/07 02:30 PM – 03:30 PM: Town Hall – Manitowoc Public Library Balkansky Community Room, 707 Quay Street, Manitowoc, WI, 54220
• 08/10 09:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Town Hall – Caestecker Public Library Conference Room, 518 Hill Street, Green Lake, WI, 54941
• 08/10 02:30 PM – 03:30 PM: Town Hall – City Hall Activity Room A, 404 East Lake Street, Horicon, WI, 53032
• 08/13 09:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Town Hall – Community Center, 130 North Main Street, Oakfield, WI, 53065
• 08/13 03:30 PM – 04:30 PM: Town Hall – Municipal Building City Council Chambers, 106 Jones Street, Watertown, WI, 53094
• 08/14 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Town Hall – Municipal Building Council Chambers, 101 North Main Street, Adams, WI, 5391
• 08/14 01:00 PM – 02:00 PM: Town Hall – Community Center, 500 Division Street, Wild Rose, WI, 54984
• 08/14 03:00 PM – 04:00 PM: Town Hall – Marquette County Courthouse Public Safety Training Room, 77 West Park Street, Montello, WI, 53949
Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner
• 09/12 09:00 AM: Town Hall – Port Washington Police Department, 365 N. Wisconsin Street, Port Washington, WI,
• 09/17 09:00 AM: Town Hall – Brookfield Public Safety Building Council Chambers, 2100 N Calhoun Road, Brookfield, WI,
• 09/17 01:00 PM: Town Hall – West Allis Public Library Constitution Room, 7421 W National Avenue, West Allis, WI,
• 09/20 04:00 PM: Town Hall – West Bend City Hall Council Chambers, 1115 S. Main Street, West Bend, WI,
• 09/27 07:00 PM: Town Hall – Richfield Village Hall, 4128 Hubertus Road, Richfield, WI,
• 09/28 07:00 PM: Town Hall – New Berlin City Hall, 3805 S. Casper Drive, New Berlin, WI,
• 10/10 09:00 AM: Town Hall – Oconomowoc City Hall Council Chambers, 174 E Wisconsin Avenue, Oconomowoc, WI,
• 10/11 04:00 PM: Town Hall – Mequon Public Safety Building Training Room, 11300 N Buntrock Avenue, Mequon, WI,
• 10/17 01:00 PM: Town Hall – Shorewood Village Hall Court Room, 3930 N Murray Avenue, Shorewood, WI,
• 10/24 09:00 AM: Town Hall – Hartford City Hall Council Chambers, 109 N Main Street, Hartford, WI,
• 10/24 01:00 PM: Town Hall – Glendale/North Shore Public Library, 6800 N. Port Washington Road, Glendale, WI,
• 10/25 04:00 PM: Town Hall – Waukesha Town Hall, W250S3567 Center Road, Town of Waukesha, WI
• 10/31 10:00 AM: Town Hall – Brown Deer Village Hall, 4800 W Green Brook Drive, Brown Deer, WI,
• 10/31 01:00 PM: Town Hall – Elm Grove Village Hall, 13600 Juneau Boulevard, Elm Grove, WI,
• 11/07 09:00 AM: Town Hall – Grafton Village Hall Council Chamber, 1971 Washington Street, Grafton, WI,
• 11/07 01:00 PM: Town Hall – Hartland Village Hall Community Room, 210 Cottonwood Avenue, Hartland, WI,
• 11/08 04:00 PM: Town Hall – Whitefish Bay Village Hall Court Room, 5300 N Marlborough Drive, Whitefish Bay, WI,
• 11/14 09:00 AM: Town Hall – Pewaukee City Hall, W240 N3065 Pewaukee Road, Pewaukee, WI,
• 11/15 07:00 PM: Town Hall – Cedarburg Police Department, W75N444 Wauwatosa Road, Cedarburg, WI,
Filed Under: healthcare, MUSINGS, Politics
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11 Comments
Wow–now THAT is a comprehensive list!
I don’t know where you stand on the issue, but as a Canadian who is stuck in this publicly-funded system, I will repeat what my husband often says: “Universal access (ie, socialized medicine) means that everyone gets the same universally crappy treatment.” Waiting 8 hours at emergency to be seen for chest pains, then waiting six weeks to see a cardiologist (who was 2 hours late); waiting 2 weeks to see my family doctor for a complaint, then being referred to a specialist and waiting 3 months for the specialist, only to be referred to a clinic for the problem and waiting another 3 months for the clinic (and I’m still waiting for them to figure out what’s wrong); wanting a second opinion, which requires another visit to the family doctor and another referral, then a wait time of several months (you can never see a specialist in Canada w/o a referral from your family doctor); scheduling a regular appointment with my gastroenterologist and being told the next appointment was SEVEN months away; I could go on. Do you really want a system like this?
I used to be a fierce advocate of our system when I was younger–that is, before I ever got sick. Now that I actually need occasional medical care, I can tell you from personal experience that our system is deeply flawed. More than 5 million Canadians can’t see a doctor because there isn’t one available where they live. In some places in Canada, the shortage of GPs is so severe that when a new doctor came to town, s/he held a lottery to take patients because s/he couldn’t see everyone and wanted to be fair about it. See more here:
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=M1ARTM0013191
Sorry for the long post–but wanted you all to have a better idea of what you would actually be accepting if you agree to socialized medicine. When things get really tough, Canadians go to the States for medical help.
dear ricki,
good to hear your perspective as a canadian.
the scenario you describe is exactly what i have experienced here. i can’t even see a freaking doctor at my “doctor’s appointment”. i get a nurse who is as dumb as a doorknob, and it’s privatised healthcare with sky high premiums. my insurance plan has curtailed the list of doctors i can see. my GP is no longer on that list. i have to go to a clinic chosen by them and have to wait two months to see a doctor who i don’t know.
i’ll settle for this crap without the high premiums and without the insurance companies who collect them, but won’t fulfill claims. for now.
- bee
Ricki – thanks for sharing your experience. I will second Bee’s statement – we have the same flaws in our current system – at least for the few who can afford ANY insurance at all – AND we pay an increasingly higher price for the privilege.
We have two adult children – a chef and a grad student – neither one of them can afford health care insurance currently. They have been priced out of the so-called “free marketplace” everybody seems to think will somehow guarantee access.
The amount of energy being expended to throttle reform efforts indicates how much profit is in the current system for the companies involved. The idea these industry giants will spend money to lobby rather on services to patients illustrates what their incentive is. They are “for profit” NOT “for patient care”.
Jai and Bee, thank you for posting this. You make several great points and provide a lot of helpful information. Half of the nitwits going to the town hall meetings to shout out the discussion (b/c that’s a truly constructive way to make your point – *rolling eyes*) are on Medicare – which is gov’t run. Durrr.
Ricki – socialized medicine is not on the table for our health care reform. That is a false comparison promoted by the people who want to shoot down health care reform in the US.
I can’t say I am surprised by what I see. It scares me, though. It’s also depressing and certainly a far cry from democracy and civility. I need to remind myself often that a lot of people are in favor of meaningful reform, and many millions need it. That’s a good reason to keep pressuring my elected officials. Just yesterday, I wrote to my Congressmember urging him to keep up the good fight.
I’ve been following this closely and am alarmed by the reactionary tactics followed by certain people. Including certain Democrats.
I’m glad you wrote this post because I think its people like you and me who have to take charge if the people we’ve voted for, don’t. Its a different thing that I can’t vote in this country, but I’m a keen observer of politics and would love to see how this works out.
You may be interested in this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbWw23XwO5o
Bee, As a Canadian resident and having lived here for 3 and half yrs now, let me write my few cents. I don’t have a family doctor here – not yet. too lazy to get one. walkin clinics are plenty – I was able to find a OB/GYN real quick when I was pregnant. The OHIP health care is freaking AWESOME in my opinion. I also got referrals for a couple of specialists easily through my dentist and through the walk in clinics. My friends have kids who need special urgent (not emergency) care from the sick kids hospital (which I absolutely adore) and they all got great care right away. Three of those kids are special needs. I also have experience in the emergency room – 8 hrs wait, yes! but the people who were almost dying got preference than me – whom they checked and made sure I could wait that long to be treated.
Yes, I L.O.V.E this public health care system. I also lived in the US for three yrs and didn’t really like it.
From my understanding – I don’t think socialized medicine is part of the reform plan. Just a public health insurance option. People who can afford and want private insurance can still have it. I think it just provides more options. Completely socialized medicine would never work in the US -it would just never work with the fabric of the country. While the current system does provide some of the best medical care if necessary, is just NOT sustainable. If we don’t do something about it now, we will be forced to soon (just like the wall street meltdown last year). I don’t think good medical care needs to be this expensive. The average wait in an ER is 6-8hrs (personal experience – even for serious problems). And guess who comes to the ED – every one that doesn’t have insurance (the 40+ million of them) and they come in for every little sniffle and headache. That is inefficient, wasteful and just plain stupid. More and more physicians are becoming specialists (the way insurance companies reimburse specialists vs. GPs has a big role in that), leaving the frontlines (primary care) to nurse practitioners and PAs – who while they do have their uses, cannot replace general practitioners. My parents both in their late 60s – have HMO plans and it is pure hell for them to get a doctor’s appointment, let alone a referral to specialist. No different than the “Canadian” experience mentioned above, but they have paid through their nose all their lives to get this kind of health care. If people are worried about government becoming a “healthcare provider” – just look the the Veteran’s hospitals. I know the media gives it a bad rap (but they only sniff up the dirt and make hoopla about it), but I worked at a VA for years and I think they provide good care and most of the vets I met were pretty happy (now the VA nursing homes are a different story – wouldn’t ever leave anyone in there or any nursing home for that matter!) – yeah things move slower than a private hospital, but they get done. Its definitely NOT ideal and has its own problems, but a great number of these patients cannot afford private insurance, and here they get decent medical care that is arranged by the government. The bottom line is – the current system does NOT work, we NEED another way to do this. A mix of public and private would be nice, IMHO. Either way, it we should have a civil exchange of opinions rather than the childish town hall attacks that have been going on, which serve no purpose. Ok, I should stop
Great post Bee. Just like us, what a joke. First and foremost all the Congressmen and Senators have to be made just like us, pay their own medical premiums and haggle for coverage and claim settlements, and then they will be just like us. Won’t they be singing a different song after that ?
Just wanted to give you the heads up that Rep. Speier’s Health Care event has been moved to a larger venue. Will you inform your readers?
Here’s the link to our events page: http://www.speier.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=132§iontree=53,132
Mike Larsen
Communications Director
Congresswoman Jackie Speier (CA-12)
Great post, don’t know how I missed this one. This topic is one of my favs (among many!). I lived in Canada for 17 yrs, loved the health care system! It’s not perfect, but the doctors/insurance companies etc were not greedy like here in the US. I even had my son there, got fantastic care all the way. The nurse used to visit my home for free to check up and give advice on breast feeding etc. Shortage of doctors is a real issue there but it depends which province you live in. When I lived in Quebec, didn’t have issues. Ontario was tougher to find a GP in, but plenty of walk in clinics with good GPs. I have lived in the US for 9 yrs now, it’s a pathetic health care system – actually, there is no *care* in the healthcare system here. Any day a greedy insurance company makes decisions about my health, it’s a sad day. Healthcare for profit?! What a joke?! You hit the nail on the head when you wrote “Government sucks so bad, but they want to be part of it and want to have a government-run healthcare plan that they wish to deny the very citizens who pay their bills.” Bunch of greedy hippocrates! Apparently Repubs have their own plans! Really? Where the hell were they the last 8 years?? If providing health care for every one is socialistic, then I am proud to be one! I think it’s more a humanistic approach. It’s utterly selfish of people to say the system shouldn’t be paying for less fortunate because that might take away the goodies from their own plates!!! Sickening!!!