New Hampshire Presidential Primary Televised Health Care Forum
For Immediate Release:
For more information contact:
Dr. Gary Sobelson - NH Medical Society
Ed Helm (727) 637-8362
Josh Peletier (603) 320-9569
HQ: 416 Chestnut St., Manchester, New Hampshire, 03101
January 3, 2008, MCAM (Channel 23, in Studio) 3:30-5:30 PM
540 N. Commercial Street, Manchester New Hampshire
The NH Medical Society announces, along with other NH civic organizations, a televised Forum on the timely topic of where the Presidential Candidates stand on changing US health care, on Thursday, January 3, 2008 at the MCAM Studio from 3:30-5:30 PM at 540 N. Commercial Street, Manchester New Hampshire.
With health care issues the top and most important domestic issue and concern of New Hampshire voters, MCAM (Manchester Community Access Media; Chan. 23) will air and distribute a two hour, live, televised Forum on Thursday, January 3, 2008 from 3:30 to 5:30 PM. The exclusive focus of the Forum with be on Presidential candidate health care proposals and how they compare and contrast. The program will be distributed over the internet via www.mcam.org/mcamtv.htm where it will also be archived and available in the future via the internet.
The NH Medical Society, an inintial co-sponsor of Forum, is represented in the Forum by its former President, Dr. Gary Sobelson who has served as the Chair of the Advisory Committee for the Forum. Dr. Sobelson, in announcing the Forum, stated that,
“The public and the press have begun to really focus on understanding the real differences among the Presidential Candidates on their health care proposals. Recently, a major newspaper’s editorial commented that “Americans are increasing frustrated about the subpar performance of this country’s fragmented health care system, and with good reason.” The newspaper concluded that the “Presidential candidates should be talking about the need for universal health coverage and ensuring that Americans have quick access to a primary care doctor.” Our Forum will help New Hampshire citizens hear the three or so major types of proposals being offered, what they mean and where citizens can find more information about the candidates’ positions on health care changes such as the Kaiser Family Foundations’ www.health08.org. What’s more, the candidates will hear from our citizens and the public through this forum.
Forum Summary
- January 3, 2008, non-partisan, educational, televised Forum in Manchester on Presidential candidate health care proposals to be produced in the MCAM (Manchester Community Access Media) studio from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM, at 540 N. Commercial St. in Manchester, NH, 03101. The program will be re-broadcast on MCAM (Chanel 23, Manchester NH) on Sunday, January 6, 2008 at 4:00 PM and again at 7:30 PM as well as on Monday, January 7, 2008, at 7:30 PM. A majority of the Public Access Centers around New Hampshire have committed to airing the Forum. Additionally, the MC for the Forum, the host of “Political Chowder,” Ms. Arnie Arnesen, expects the 40 stations which air her program to also re-broadcast the Forum.
- Sponsored by Granite State Physicians for a National Health Program and Co-sponsored by the NH Council of Churches, NH Medical Society, Democracy for New Hampshire, NH Academy of Family Physicians, WMD, NH Citizens for Health Care Freedom, and a number of other New Hampshire civic organizations including Democracy for New Hampshire, WMD (Women Making a Difference) and the NH State Association of Letter Carriers.
- Ms. Arnie Arenson, the MC of the Forum, will be assisted by a distinguished panel who will help analyze the Presidential Candidates’ statements and positions. This panel is led by Dr. Gary Sobelson, former Chair of the NH Medical Society and Chair of the Advisory Committee to the Forum. Other panelists include Ms. Maggie Mahar, author of Money Driven Medicine, Dr. Tomas Claremont, GSPNHP leader and NH family practice physician, and Mr. Charlie Arlinghaus, President of the Concord NH Joshia Bartlett Center for Public Policy.
- Public and citizen participation will help focus the Forum on issues important to them and citizens throughout New Hampshire who will “present” in Medical Society style a range of conditions from the uninsured to those unhappily ‘locked’ in jobs because of health care to how market and preventative health care efforts help and/or hinder the health care system.
The purpose of the MCAM televised Presidential Candidate Forum on Health Care is to help the public hear those candidates talk about their position through pre-taped presentations and submission.
The Presidential Candidates have been asked to respond to these four questions:
1. Summarize your proposal for health care change and identify why it should be seen as better than other candidates’ (one minute)—(also please provide source(s) of additional information about you proposal, e.g., website(s), books, etc. that we can post and identify);
2. How would you provide health care for the 47 million Americans who have no health insurance; how much will your plan cost; how will you pay for it? (two minutes; include ‘more info on’ [website etc.]),
3. In the present American health care system, close to one out of every three dollars does not go for healthcare but rather “Administrative Expenses,” i.e, advertising, profits, etc. with paperwork costs amounting to 16% alone. Discuss your view of whether health care is a right or privilege, service or business, profession or marke t enterprise (one and half minute; more info etc.). And,
4. Why is the United States the only industrial country in the world that permits drug companies to advertise on television and does not have national health care for all its people (30 seconds; more info etc.) Or, the US now spends more per person on health care than any other nation but in most rankings of our health care system, we don’t have the best health care. In fact, we usually come out about 5th or lower in the quality rankings. What would you do to fix this?” (30 seconds; more info etc.)
Representatives of Presidential candidates have been invited to respond to questions about health care issues and their Candidate’s health care proposals.
Dr. Matthew Masewic
(603) 856-7121
Chair Designate GSPNHP
Dr. Gary Sobelson
(603) 225-3427
Chair, Forum Adv. Com.
Edward Helm
(727) 637-8362
Assistant to Chair GSPNHP