DFL Party to host health care forum

The Douglas County Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party will host a health care forum on Thursday, October 4 at the Alexandria Technical and Community College in Room 205.

There will be a short DFL business meeting from 6:30 to 7 p.m., with the forum beginning at 7 p.m. sharp. Lowell Anderson will be the moderator. Guest health care professionals on the panel are:

--Dr. Charles McKenzie, a retired OB/GYN from Alexandria, the current medical director of Prime West and well versed in the Affordable Health Care Act of 2010.

--William Flaig, retired CEO of the Douglas County Hospital with experience in the Affordable Health Care Act of 2010.

--Dr. Steven Longbotham, a medical doctor specializing in family medicine, who has practiced in Alexandria for 26 years and is a member of the Minnesota Medical Association.

The session will be an interactive question-answer-response format. Issues for possible consideration include:

--Why is the Affordable Health Care Act of 2010 frequently called “Obamacare” when it was actually approved by the legislative bodies?

--Will the implementation of the act and required participation cost each individual more than the current system?

--What are the major provisions of the Affordable Health Care Act and when and how will they be implemented?

--Will small businesses receive any support for implementation of a health care program for employees?

--How will the health care act affect the current hospital and clinic delivery systems?

--Will the pharmaceutical industries be affected by the implementation of the act and what is their anticipated response?

Plan on attending the forum with concerns and questions that can be directed to the professionals.

Tags: local news, news, dfl, health