US Rep. candidates to participate in health debate

“Does the U.S. have the best health care in the world?”

Community members will be asking that question today at a “community conversation” about health care sponsored by Hoosiers for a Commonsense Health Care Plan and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington Monroe County.

From 5:30 to 7 p.m. in Garton Hall at Saint Mark’s United Methodist Church, five invited Democratic candidates for Indiana’s 9th District Congressional seat will address questions from the community about issues about health care and health care reform.

“What we hope to get out of this is to help people become more informed and educated as to what the benefits of a national health program are,” said Karen Stone, the coordinator for community education and outreach for HCHP.

Stone said anywhere from 40 to 140 people could attend the event.

Ann Wrenn, president of LWV of Monroe County Bloomington, said health care is a large issue in this year’s election and the elected candidates will have to make tough decisions.

“I hope the candidates can all come because they need to be a part of this conversation,” she said.

The LWV of the United States supports a national health care program that is financed through general taxes instead of individual insurance premiums.

The five candidates include Representatives Jonathan George, John Miller, John Tilford, Robert Winningham and Shelli Yoder.

“This is really for them to hear,” Stone said.

— Jaclyn Lansbery