Des Moines (November 27, 2007)–On Saturday, December 1, Dr Bret McFarlin representing Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement will take part in the Heartland Presidential Forum in Des Moines, Iowa by asking a presidential candidate a question regarding healthcare reform. Candidates participating in the forum are Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. John Edwards, Sen. Christopher Dodd, Congressman Dennis Kucinich and Sen. Barack Obama. The entire forum, which is sponsored by the Center for Community Change (CCC) and Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (CCI), will live on C-SPAN at 2:00 PM Central time.
The Heartland Presidential Forum, which is expected to draw 5,000 attendees, differs from other forums with its unique format. Top-tier candidates will take their turn onstage and will be asked real questions by real people, rather than giving canned speeches. This design is meant to put power back in the hands of the people and hold candidates accountable to what we the people really value.
Dr McFarlin points out that, “Universal health insurance reform is a high priority domestic issue this caucus season. As ever increasing number of Americans find healthcare inaccessible or unaffordable, our social solidarity and shared commitment to the greater good is called into question.”
The forum is an important part of the Campaign for Community Values, a multi-issue and multi-year effort to challenge the divisive message of the right and to promote Community Values. The Campaign for Community Values is a collective by more then 100 community-based organizations from all over the country to have an impact on public opinion and the 2008 elections.
Dr. McFarlin is Director of Internal Medicine at Broadlawns Medical Center, Polk County’s safety net hospital, a member of Physicians for a National Health Program, and an advocate for universal healthcare reform.
Visit www.iowaheartlandforum.org for more information on forum.
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