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Over 2,500 residents of Florida's 15th Congressional District attended a Healthcare Town Hall Meeting hosted by Congressman Bill Posey last Wednesday night at the King Center at Brevard Community College.

“I would like to thank all those who worked so hard to make this event a success - everyone at the Holiday Inn, Brevard Community College, the Brevard Community College King Center for offering their facilities in service to our community, the King Center Staff and all those who served on our advisory panel,” said Congressman Posey. “It was great to see so many folks engaged in such an important issue.” 

A replay of the Town Hall Meeting can be seen through Florida Today's website.

The event included presentations by Congressman Posey and Mr. Dennis Smith, former Director of the Federal Center for Medicaid and State Operation at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as well as a panel of representatives from local health care providers, medical practitioners, and the business community.

The Healthcare Panel included:

Bill Ellis, Representing Health First

Dr. William Knappenberger, Pediatrician and Brevard Children Medical Services Director

Lisa Gurri and Tom Culbreth from the Brevard Health Alliance Clinic

Donald Loftus, CEO Treasure Coast Community Health Center in Vero Beach

Dr. John Littell, Family Physician representing the Osceola Medical Society

James Newbrough, CEO, Visiting Nurses Association of the Treasure Coast (home care providers)

Rep. Mike Horner, President of the Kissimmee Chamber of Commerce

Rep. Ritch Workman, FL House of Representatives discussing the State Perspective

Posey sent copies of the 1,017 page health care reform proposal to the main public libraries of both Osceola and Indian River Counties and has made a copy of the bill available to constituents who want to read it in his Melbourne office as well. The bill is also available online here.

Over the last several months, Congressman Posey has been gathering input from constituents, local health care professionals, and policy experts on health care reform and how Congress should proceed. Last month, Posey held two telephone town hall meetings with constituents on the topic, has hosted several roundtable discussions with local health care experts, and toured community health centers in Indian River County.

Posey, who has received thousands of letters, emails and phone calls from constituents, said that it is important to hear from residents about what they like and don’t like about their current health care plans and reiterated his pledge that he “will not vote for legislation in its final form that he has not been afforded  to read and evaluate.”