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Press Release

August 29, 2009

Contact: Aaron Hunter 202-225-2040

davispress@mail.house.gov

 

1,200 San Diegans Attend Rep. Susan Davis’s Neighborhood Day on Health Insurance Reform

Davis answers tough questions and dispels myths

SAN DIEGO – About 1,200 San Diegans braved the beating heat to attend Rep. Susan Davis’s Neighborhood Day town hall on August 29 in Spring Valley.  Rep. Davis outlined the health care solutions offered by the House bills and welcomed questions from a vocal crowd. 

“Healthcare is a very personal and emotional issue,” Davis told a capacity crowd of 1,000 while about 200 on both sides of the issue let their voices be heard outside the gym.  “I value your input and I’m looking forward to taking your thoughts and ideas back with me to Washington.”

Rep. Davis stressed the need for reform, highlighting skyrocketing costs and the many uninsured Americans, including 162,000 people in the 53rd Congressional District.  She explained the House proposal which would guard against insurance companies refusing to cover those with pre-existing conditions and setting lifetime limits on what they will pay for health coverage. 

She described the proposed Health Insurance Exchange where people, if they choose to get health care coverage through the Exchange, could compare and choose plans that fit them best, which would keep prices down by increasing competition among insurance companies. 

Davis answered tough questions from supporters and opponents of reform.  She also dispelled the numerous myths being bandied about in an attempt to kill health insurance reform, such as the false claim that everyone would be forced into a government-run health plan.

Davis reassured the audience that federal dollars would not be used for abortions.  Undocumented immigrants would not be able to access health care coverage paid for with public money.  The health care coverage of veterans and military service members would not be affected.

Davis’s Neighborhood Days are town hall-style meetings held throughout the year in different neighborhoods in her congressional district.  The last Neighborhood Day was held in the beach communities.

The event was also just one part of health care outreach efforts by Davis, which have included calling over 80,000 constituents during telephone town halls, holding multiple roundtable discussions with local healthcare groups and experts, and attending a Health Care for America Now (HCAN) Community Health Care Forum. 

The Spring Valley town hall marked the end of a busy district work period.  Davis also held public forums on identity theft, housing, green jobs, and water conservation.  And she spoke about health insurance reform at events hosted by the Hillcrest Town Council, the San Diego Organizing Project, the Point Loma Association and the Catfish Club.

“This issue affects us all,” she said. “We are crafting a solution that is uniquely American, and the voices and concerns at the neighborhood day are an important part of moving toward that solution.”

Rep. Davis serves on the House Education and Labor Committee, which passed, with her support, America’s Affordable Health Choices Act (H.R. 3200) before the start of the August District Work Period.

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