Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) who has been asked by Chairman Kennedy to serve as his chief deputy for health reform, today hosted the first town hall meeting of his Connecticut Prescriptions for Change listening tour.  Approximately 700 Connecticut residents came to Goodwin College in East Hartford this morning to hear from Dodd and a panel of experts and to share their views and ideas for reforming our nation’s health care system.

“The response today was overwhelming,” said Dodd.  “The discussion we had affirmed how deeply committed and passionate people in Connecticut are about seizing the moment that President Obama spoke about this week to transform our health care system. The stories, experiences, and concerns people shared with me today will be a tremendous resource as we get to work to craft a reform package that makes health care affordable and accessible for every American.”

The discussion, which was held in the auditorium of Goodwin College’s River Campus, began with brief comments from each of the panelists:  Representative John Larson (CT-1), Kevin Lembo, Connecticut’s Healthcare Advocate, Judy Stein, the Executive Director of the Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc., Sharon Langer, a Senior Policy Fellow at Connecticut Voices for Children, David R. Fusco, the President of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Connecticut, Juan Figueroa, the President of the Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut, and Lauren Reinmann, a high school senior who volunteers on behalf of underinsured and uninsured Connecticut residents.

Later in the day, Dodd met with a bipartisan group of state officials, and business, labor, and health care leaders at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.  Dodd shared highlights of the discussion at the earlier town hall meeting, and listened to their concerns and suggestions for health care reform.

Today’s event was the first of several stops on the listening tour that will take Senator Dodd throughout the state.  Connecticut residents who are interested in joining a future “Connecticut Prescriptions for Change” discussion should call Senator Dodd’s office at 860-258-6940 or email ctrx4change@dodd.senate.gov.

Visit Dodd.Senate.Gov for regular updates on the “Connecticut Prescriptions for Change” tour, details on future events, and more information about Dodd’s work in the Senate to reform our nation’s health care system.

-30-