July 30, 2009

7-27 Health Care iTownHall

On July 27, 2009, Senator Mark Begich hosted a statewide iTownhall to discuss the status of health care reform. This audio is a complete recording of the telephone call during which Sen. Begich laid out the current progress of health care reform in the United States Senate, his personal convictions on the issue, and takes over a dozen live calls from Alaskans.

An estimated 1,000 Alaskans participated in the phone call, either listening or having the chance to ask questions. This call follows in-person town halls that Sen. Begich hosted in Anchorage and Juneau. The iTownhall allows those across the state unable to attend in-person events to participate in this discussion.

In the call, Begich outlined his priorities for reform which include:
• Making sure people can keep their coverage;
• Increasing the number of people with health coverage;
• Preserving the private patient-doctor relationship, keeping insurances companies and the government out of the doctor's office;
• Covering people with pre-existing condition;
• Improving veterans' health care;
• Strengthening Indian Health Services;
• Promoting prevention;
• Making reform work for small business.

Questions during the call originated from McGrath, Homer, Kasilof, Anchorage, Sitka, Palmer, Big Lake, Wasilla, Fairbanks and Seward.