Congresswoman Chellie Pingree Holds Telephone Town Hall on Health Care

Press Release

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree Holds Telephone Town Hall on Health Care

Thousands join session to discuss health care reform

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree held a telephone town hall tonight to discuss health care reform now being considered in Congress. Over 12,000 people across the First Congressional District joined the call to ask questions, make comments and tell their stories.

"The message tonight was loud and clear," Pingree said. "The current system isn't working and people want change. They want quality, affordable health care. They want to see costs brought under control. And they want to have the choice of a public plan that gives the insurance companies some competition."

One caller from Portland told Pingree that she had suffered a stroke but because she couldn't afford health care insurance, she was worried she was missing out on the health care that could keep her healthy.

"When we get people the preventative health care they need when they need it, we will save money and keep people healthier," Pingree said.

Other callers told Pingree of difficulty getting or keeping health care insurance or being denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions.

Pingree said she'll be keeping the stories she heard tonight in mind as the debate over health care reform continues.

"I'll be repeating some of the stories I heard tonight when I talk to my colleagues about the shape of health care reform," she said. "This is about real people and the real affect their struggles with healthcare have on their life."

Over the last few months Pingree has been holding a series of meetings, listening sessions and town halls with individuals, doctors, nurses, non-profit organizations and state and local officials to discuss potential legislation. Last week Pingree met with representatives of 20 different groups and organizations in a listening session organized by the Maine Medical Association.

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