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Vindicator, WFMJ plan live health forum
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U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles
Five area health-care industry experts will also attend Monday’s forum.
YOUNGSTOWN — WFMJ Channel 21 and The Vindicator are working with U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan to air a live 90-minute health-care forum from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday.
Besides Ryan of Niles, D-17th, five area health-care industry experts will be at the event at the Jewish Community Center at 505 Gypsy Lane.
Also, 100 area residents will be able to attend the event, “Conversation on Health Care with Congressman Tim Ryan hosted by WFMJ and The Vindicator.”
“Throughout the district work period, I spoke with hundreds of constituents at public events and over 29,000 constituents during telephone town-hall meetings about health-care reform and the benefits that the reforms will have for our community,” Ryan said.
“That’s why I’m pleased to accept an invitation to continue those conversations at a live, televised town hall organized by The Vindicator and WFMJ’s Channel 21 next Monday evening.
“This event is another opportunity to talk about how we plan to bring down out-of-control health-care costs that will help entrepreneurs and businesses compete for the next generation of jobs that will transform the local economy,” he said.
There is a form on Vindy.com asking those interested in attending their thoughts on health care and if they have personal health issues. WFMJ and The Vindicator will select 50 of those submitting forms to the forum. Those 50 are asked to bring a guest.
People answering the questions must be available Monday evening to attend the commercial-free forum.
Invitations will go out Thursday and Friday.
Those selected to be in the audience will have a chance to ask Ryan a specific question related to health care.
The question-and-answer forum will be moderated by WFMJ anchor Bob Black.
The TV station and the newspaper have been working together for several weeks to organize the event.
Congress and the Obama administration have been working on an overhaul of the health-care system.
Ryan supports the health-care change bill, known as America’s Affordable Health Choices Act, that was passed through the House Energy and Commerce Committee. President Barack Obama wants Congress to pass a health-care bill before the end of the year.
Aware of disruptions at some town-hall sessions around the country, the two news organizations say the structure of this event will allow a productive 90- minute discussion on the health-care issue.
This event will come only days after Obama speaks tonight to a joint session of Congress about health care.
It is only the 32nd time since 1921 that a president has delivered a special speech — not the annual State of the Union address — to the joint session, according to USA Today.
The last one was Sept. 22, 1993, when then-President Bill Clinton delivered a special speech on health care.
skolnick@vindy.com