Best Prescription for Productive Health Care Debate: Facts, Not Fear
August 11, 2009
August 11, 2009
INDIANAPOLIS– To ensure constituents have access to factual information about Congress' efforts to reform the nation's broken health care system, Congressman André Carson today expanded his Online Health-Care Forum to include a host of easily accessible, detailed information about the current health care bill being debated in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Carson's Online Health-Care forum was launched last month to encourage constituents to both submit and review personal stories about their experiences with the health-care system. The forum, accessible by going to carson.house.gov, has been expanded to include facts about H.R. 3200, America's Affordable Health Choices Act. The site now features, among other things:
· The full text of the bill;
· Health-care data and information specific to the 7th Congressional District;
· Frequently-asked-questions; and
· A breakdown how H.R. 3200 will be paid for.
The online forum also includes a feature called "The Facts and Myths about Health Reform," which highlights facts about the House bill that directly address the numerous distortions being pushed by the anti-reform lobby.
"Health-care reform is one of the most critical issues our nation will ever confront, so it's vital that constituents are armed with the facts," said Congressman Carson. "This new expanded feature on my Web site is intended to be a one-stop-shop for the people of Indianapolis to access vital, accurate information about health-care reform and what it means for them and their families."
Carson mentioned the importance of directly addressing the mischaracterizations being painted by opponents of reform.
"The health insurance lobby and other anti-reform groups are pouring millions of dollars into a campaign aimed at one thing: scaring people with completely false and ludicrous claims about health-care reform," Carson continued. "As the late, great Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan might have said, these groups are entitled to their opinions, but they are not entitled to their own facts."
Congressman Carson said his office plans to update the Facts vs. Myths page as new false claims are brought to light. He asked constituents to continue using the Online Health-Care Forum to email personal stories about their experiences with the health care system, as well as shine a light on any misinformation they come across.
To submit a health care story or bring to Congressman Carson's attention any false claims being made about health-care reform, residents can e-mail the forum at IN07healthcare@mail.house.gov.
Constituents looking to review the wealth of information posted about the America's Affordable Health Choices Act should go to carson.house.gov and click on the "Online Health-Care Forum" button.
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