Published: November 16, 2009 09:18 pm         

Panel set for Valley health care forum today

TERRE HAUTE — Concerned about maintaining a strong public option in health care reform legislation, a group of citizens has brought together a panel of professionals from a variety of backgrounds to address a forum today.

Sponsored by the group Democracy for America, the forum’s six panelists will range from a historian to medical professionals to a representative of the AARP.

Questions will be solicited in writing from the audience with the goal of helping to clarify why supporters of the public option believe it is a critical component of any health care reform. The open forum is 7:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the County Council meeting room in the Vigo County Annex.

Panelists are Martin DeAgostino, representative for AARP in Indiana; Ruth Fairbanks, University of Illinois, currently working on a dissertation exploring the history of American maternity policy; Dr. Robert Stone, Bloomington, Ind., physician; Carolyn Sur, director of Campus Ministries at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College; Dr. Jim Turner, co-medical director at St. Ann’s Clinic; and Richard Wahlman, vice president of the Indiana Farmers Union.