The Democratic Leadership Council, in cooperation wtih the House Democratic Caucus, the House Republican Conference, the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, and the Congressional Institute held the second debate in the "Congress Debates" series in Cincinnati, Ohio, on April 28. The debate focused on a subject of great concern to all Americans -- the state of health care in America and ways it can be made more affordable and accessible. .
"Congress Debates" is a series of bipartisan debates, launched in February in an effort to foster bipartisan dialogue on the most important issues facing America and to generate substantive discussion that goes beyond sound bites and partisan talking points. "Congress Debates" is an effort to break through the rancor of Washington and return real policy discussion to the debate between the parties.
"House Members Clash Over SCHIP at Healthcare Debate in Cincinnati
By Jackie Kucinich, The Hill
"Lawmakers Debate at Children's: Eight Congress Members Hold Bipartisan Health Forum,"
By Tony Lang, Cincinnati Enquirer
"Congressional Health Care Debate in Cincinnati,"
WKRC TV Cincinnati
"House Members Discuss SCHIP, Medicare, Medicaid During Debate in Cincinnati,"
Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report
All photos by Mark Lyons, Lyons Photography
View the photo album for this event.
House Democratic Caucus
House Republican Conference
Democratic Leadership Council
Congressional Institute
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.),
Rep. Marion Berry (D-Ark.),
Rep. Charles Boustany, M.D. (R-La.),
Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.)
Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Fla.),
Rep. Nathan Deal (R-Ga.),
Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.), and
Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz.)
The forum was moderated by National Public Radio health policy correspondent and CongressDaily contributing editor Julie Rovner.
"Too frequently, sensible policy solutions are drowned out by a deafening chorus of partisan bickering. We hope that this debate series, focusing on policy over partisanship, will foster the kind of frank, substantive discussion that is so often missing in today's Washington."
"All too often in Washington, partisanship dominates every discussion of every issue. But the challenges facing America -- from our struggling economy to tens of millions of people without health care -- are tremendous, and they deserve serious discussion and attention from both sides of the aisle without becoming a partisan tit-for-tat. These debates enable Republicans and Democrats to discuss our differences without being disagreeable, and our policy differences without being partisan. I look forward to this battle of ideas, not insults."
"Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center is honored to host this important discussion about health care policy and the future of the U.S. healthcare system. If we are to change the outcome for children and adults in our nation, it will be because government, the medical community and the private sector work together toward a common goal to provide quality care that is accessible to all Americans. Events such as this that promote public discussion are in integral part of accomplishing this goal."
Congress Debates Round 1 Recap
