Keith will host a Town Hall Forum this Saturday, August 1st, 2009 on the President’s health care reform proposal being vigorously debated across America. The Forum will be held at the North Point Health & Wellness Center (1313 Penn Avenue, North Minneapolis) from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon.

WHAT: Congressman Keith Ellison Town Hall: Bringing the Health Care Reform Debate to Our Neighborhoods
WHEN: Saturday, August 1, 2009 – 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
WHERE: North Point Health & Wellness Center (1313 Penn Avenue, North Minneapolis)

“Health care reform is probably the single most important issue being debated before Congress this year,” Ellison declared. “What we decide upon will affect each of us. We need to keep this debate focused and moving forward. We accomplish this when each of us becomes involved in the debate; when each of us becomes an advocate,” Ellison said.

“We have gathered together a very distinguished panel of experts including local health care providers and area community activists to discuss the needs of our communities and how the legislation before Congress might address them,” the 5th District Congressman stated.

Panelists inlcude: State Representative Bobby Jo Champion, District 58B; Ms. Stella Whitney-West, CEO North Point Health & Wellness Center; Mr. Juan Jackson, Co-Chair African American Health Workers Network; Dr. BraVada Garrett-Akinsanya, Executive Director African American Child Wellness Institute; Ms. Bonnie Jean Smith, PACER Center; Ms. Heidi Holste, AARP – Minnesota Chapter; Ms. Beverly Propes, RN, Board Member North Point Health & Wellness Center; and Professor Mary Story, PhD RD, Division of Epidemiology & Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota.

“Right now, nothing defines us more as Americans than how we take care of our health and the health of all of our communities,” stated panelist Juan Jackson, Co-Chair of the African American Health Workers Network. “I concur with Mr. Jackson’s assessment and I hope everyone will join us for this very important debate,” Ellison concluded.

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