Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Representative Neil Abercrombie will conduct two Healthcare Community Forums to gather detailed information about the problems faced by healthcare professionals and by the public in Hawaii.  As Congress works to send a healthcare reform bill to President Obama by the end of the year, Abercrombie will be seeking information about the Hawaii healthcare experience from both providers and consumers.

The first event is a Healthcare Provider Forum, scheduled for Thursday, May 28th at the Queen’s Conference Center’s Mabel Smyth Auditorium at 6:00 p.m., for doctors, nurses, hospital administrators, rehabilitation specialists, pharmacists and others involved in healthcare delivery, such as medical suppliers, health insurance administrators, nursing homes operators and long term care providers.

The second event will be a Public Community Forum at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1st at the Queen’s Conference Center’s Mabel Smyth Auditorium. The Congressman will summarize the highlights from the Providers’ Forum and seek public feedback.

“Today, healthcare in the United States is way too expensive, way too complicated and leaves way too many people out,” said Abercrombie. “As Congress considers healthcare reform, I want to be sure the needs and interests of Hawaii’s working families, small business owners and others are addressed.  And, if we can offer solutions, I want to be sure they are heard and carefully considered in Washington.” 

Information, conclusions and feedback from the two events will be transmitted to the White House and to the Congressional Committees charged with drafting legislation.

“Hawaii can’t wait for healthcare reform to happen.  We have to be part of the change; part of the solution,” Abercrombie said.

• Provider’s Forum: Federal Health Care Reform and Hawaii
  Queen’s Conference Center’s Mabel Smyth Auditorium
  Thursday, May 28th at 6:00 p.m.
  
• Community Forum: Federal Health Care Reform and Hawaii
  Queen’s Conference Center’s Mabel Smyth Auditorium
  Wednesday, July 1st at 6:00 p.m.

For more information, interested persons and organizations may call Abercrombie’s Honolulu District Office at 808-541-2570 or visit his Web site to check for updates on the forums at www.house.gov/abercrombie.

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