Obama Pitches Health Care at Tele-Town Hall

President Obama, with A. Barry Rand and Jennie Chin Hansen, answers members’ questions at AARP tele-town hall. Photo by Paul Morse

President Obama took his appeal for health care reform directly to the American people when he attended a tele-town hall meeting July 28 at AARP’s Washington headquarters. He appeared with AARP President Jennie Chin Hansen and CEO A. Barry Rand. Rand repeated the organization’s commitment to reforming the health care system, though AARP has not endorsed any specific plan.

During the 75-minute meeting, Obama fielded questions from the 180,000 participants and viewers. It was one of nine tele-town hall conferences attracting nearly 500,000 members, all part of a blizzard of public debate, lobbying, advertising and grassroots activity on the issue. Obama addressed opponents’ claims and emphasized that the cost of not enacting comprehensive reform would be far worse than the cost of the reform proposals. AARP also flew in 100 members to meet with nearly 200 House and Senate lawmakers.

While Congress recessed without completing action on the proposals, activists began spending millions of dollars on advertising aimed at swing voters in the House and Senate.

“AARP advocates will be active in states and congressional districts around the country ... making their voices heard on key aspects of health care reform,” says David Certner, AARP legislative policy director. They include plugging the “doughnut hole,” ensuring no cuts in Medicare benefits and prohibiting discrimination in insurance coverage based on age and health status.

To participate in an upcoming AARP tele-town hall, register at www.healthactionnow.org/townhall.