‘Voting on Health’ Candidate Forum to be held Wednesday at UA College of Public Health

Healthcare reform, health services for children and the poor, and the future of Medicare and Medicaid have been political hot potatoes this election year. Tea Party favorites like Republican Congressional challengers Jesse Kelly (CD8) and Ruth McClung (CD7) have spoken against the federal government’s provision of a healthcare safety net and minimum health services for all Americans and vowed to eliminate healthcare reform.

On the home front, in the last 2 legislative terms, the Arizona Legislature has slashed and burned public health and education programs. In addition, the Legislature placed 2 initiatives on the ballot which would further hurt the health and welfare of Arizona children and families– Prop 106 which would make it impossible for Arizonans to participate in a national healthcare insurance plan and Prop 302 which would allow the Legislature to steal the funds from the First Things First program for children’s health and early childhood development.

Obviously, it is important for voters to know how candidates would vote on healthcare and public health issues. The Mel and Enida Zuckerman College of Public Health is sponsoring a candidates forum on Wednesday, October 20. Several candidates who are running for House or Senate seats in the Arizona Legislature will participate. Here is the information from the college.

Voting on Health: Southern Arizona Candidate Forum,
What:
Graduate students from the UA Zuckerman College of Public Health will host the open forum titled, Voting on Health: A Southern Arizona Candidate Forum.

This is an opportunity for voters to hear what the legislative candidates have to say about their role in promoting the wellbeing of Southern Arizonans, and their plans to address key issues that affect the health of individuals living in this region. The forum in open to the public.

Who:
Participating Arizona legislative candidates running for state offices in the November 2nd election:
Paula Aboud (D) for State Senate, District 28
Ted Downing (D) for State Senate, District 28
Dave Ewoldt (I) for State Senate, District 28
Robert Compton, (R) House seat, District 27
Steve Farley (D) House seat, District 28
Pat Fleming (D) House seat, District 25
Sally Gonzales (D) House seat, District 27
Peggy Judd (R) House seat, District 25
Pat Kilburn (R) House seat, District 29
Bruce Wheeler (D) House seat, District 28

When:
Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010 | 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. (Refreshments will be served from 6:30-7 p.m.)

Where:
Drachman Hall, 1295 N. Martin Avenue, Room B109, Tucson, AZ. Parking is free in the Drachman Hall East lot after 5 p.m.

Why:
“Public health is all about the development and implementation of informed policy. With today’s issues around health and health care front and center in our state, it is critical for voters to be informed on the positions of all our candidates,” said Jill Guernsey de Zapien, associate dean for Community Programs at the Zuckerman College of Public Health. “On behalf of our college, we are delighted to offer this opportunity to the Tucson community.”