Obama’s health-policy team to hold meeting in Tallahassee tonight

Dec 22, 2008

Tallahassee Democrat–December 22, 2008

By Rene M. Luna
SPECIAL TO THE DEMOCRAT

The Presidential Transition Health Policy Team has created a national effort to learn what changes Americans want to see in health-care policy and practices. Tallahassee is one of the cities that will be hosting a community discussion forum.

It will be at 6 p.m. today in the ballroom of the Marriott Residence Inn on West Gaines Street at Railroad Avenue. The two-hour forum is open to the public.

A panel of local medical professionals will meet to discuss views and seek input from the public for ideas on the U.S. health care system.

“The Presidential Transition Health Policy Team wants to hear from you: your experiences, your stories, your views and ideas on the health care system in the country and how you think the system can be improved,” said Dr. J. Lucas Koberda, a board- certified neurologist practicing in Tallahassee and moderator of tonight’s discussion.

President-elect Barack Obama hopes that these talks will help the incoming administration in designing a quality, economical approach to health care for the next four years.

Tom Daschle, nominated by Obama to be Secretary of Health and Human Services, is scheduled to attend several of the community discussions between before Dec. 31.