- Hall Holding Roundtables with Local Stakeholders -

Carmel, NY – With health care reform being debated in Washington and Congress expected to vote on health care legislation this year, U.S. Rep. John Hall (D-Dover) is organizing a series of roundtables on health care policy with Hudson Valley stakeholders to gather their input and opinions.

"More than any other issue, what we do on a national level affects people every day in their personal lives," said Hall. "Our health care system in this country is broken. Too many families are finding themselves underinsured and unable to afford their medical expenses despite having paid for health insurance. These families are often one accident or major illness away from financial disaster. We must act to reign in costs and expand coverage, but the details of what we do are as important as taking action in the first place. These roundtables are just one step in the process as I decide how to vote on upcoming health care reform."

To hear a wide range of perspectives on health care policy, Hall is holding a series of roundtable discussions with patient advocacy and public health organizations, business leaders, healthcare providers, and hospitals.

"I'm bringing these stakeholders together with me to talk about what's wrong, and find the best solution to fix it," explained Hall. "These are the individuals who spend every day immersed in this issue.  I want to hear from them, first-hand, about their experiences.  I am here to listen to their viewpoints on what's working, what's not working, what pieces need major overhaul, what needs just a few tweaks, and of course what we should leave alone."

Patient Advocacy and Public Health Organizations Roundtable Discussion
Tomorrow, Friday, May 29
10am
Northern Westchester Hospital
Conference Room B & C
400 East Main St.
Mount Kisco, NY 10549

Attendees:

Joel Seligman, President & CEO, Northern Westchester Hospital
Maria Hale, VP, Patient Advocacy and Service Excellence, Northern Westchester Hospital
Lillian Jones, Regional Advocacy Director, American Cancer Society
Michele Muir, Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Alzheimer's Association
Jill Auerbach, Chairperson, & Ira Auerbach, Hudson Valley Lyme Disease Association
Dr. Amy Kohn, CEO/Executive Director, Mental Health Association of Westchester
Reina Schiffrin, President/CEO, Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic

Business Leaders Roundtable Discussion
Tomorrow, Friday, May 29
11:30am
Northern Westchester Hospital
Conference Room B & C
400 East Main St.
Mount Kisco, NY 10549

Attendees:

Joel Seligman, President & CEO, Northern Westchester Hospital
Lou Gordon, Director, BALCONY (Business And Labor Coalition Of New York)
Norman Michaels, Board of Directors, Business Council of Westchester
Janet Deane, Executive Director, Mount Kisco Chamber of Commerce
Yorktown County Chamber of Commerce (tent)
Orange County Chamber of Commerce (tent)
Dutchess County Chamber of Commerce (tent)

Hospitals Roundtable Discussion
Monday, June 1
11:30am
St. Francis Hospital
Board room
241 North Road
Poughkeepsie NY

Attendees:

Robert Savage, President and CEO, St. Francis Hospital
Allan Atzrott, President and CEO, St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital
Donna McGregor, President and CEO, Putnam Hospital Center
Janet Ready, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Vassar Brothers Medical Center
Neil Abitabilo, President, Northern Metropolitan Hospital Association
Angela Skretta-Huck, Vice President, Northern Metropolitan Hospital Association
Kara Bennorth, Senior Vice President Marketing and Corporate Communications, Westchester Medical Center

Healthcare Providers Roundtable Discussion
Tuesday, June 2
10am
Orange Regional Medical Center
Board Room
4 Harriman Drive
Goshen, NY

Attendees:

Scott Batulis, CEO, Orange Regional Medical Center
Ruth-Ellen Blodgett, Sr. Vice President, Planned Parenthood - Mid Hudson Valley
Allison Dubois, MPH, VP, Health Center Administration, Hudson River HealthCare
Dr. Paul Kaye, Medical Director, Hudson River HealthCare        
Linda Dickman, 1199 SEIU RN Division Contract Administrator, Orange Regional Medical Center
Erica Broussard, 1199 SEIU Executive Council representative, Orange Regional Medical Center                   
Michele Quirolo, President & CEO, Visiting Nurse Association of the Hudson Valley
Nasir Mahmood, President, Pharmacists Society of the State of New York        
Dan Grady, President & CEO, Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, Inc
Dave Lambert, Director, The Medical Society of the County of Orange

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