3/8/10

Health reform will happen. It will happen because the United States cannot afford for it to not happen. How that reform happens and the nature of it, is the issue.

Beyond the ubiquitous sound bytes of the past year or the empty chamber proceedings of CSPAN, the President has offered a unique opportunity for the American public to participate in the fundamental debates through his bipartisan day-long meeting on health reform on 25 February 2010. The meeting gave the public a chance to hear from both parties in both Houses of Congress about their positions on the president’s new proposal and the proposals that passed the House and Senate last year. The entire summit is available online for everyone to watch, listen, and become informed as to the true meaning of the health care reform debate.

While there appeared to be little progress on coming to a bipartisan consensus on health reform legislation, the debate gave every voter an opportunity to hear the best arguments for and against the proposals at hand.

Recently, I was able to hear Ohio Legislator Dave Burke (R) comment on the debate at a public forum. While not commenting on the reform bill directly, he encouraged everyone to, “become educated about the bill and let your representative know [you’re opinions] about health care reform”.

I advise our members to take the Representative’s advice. Become educated about health care reform and contact your elected officials.

You are the voice of public health, so be heard.

Jason Orcena, MA

President, OPHA

ohiopha@gmail.com