- Event at Heritage Hills Packs Room -
- Part of Hall's Health Care Listening Tour -

Somers, NY – U.S. Representative John Hall yesterday conducted an open forum to discuss health care with senior citizens living in the Heritage Hills retirement community. Well over 200 residents packed the Activities Room in Heritage Hills, and more chairs were added as the room reached capacity. Yesterday's forum is part of the listening tour that Congressman Hall has been conducting throughout the Hudson Valley since May to talk to constituents, small businesses, and health care professionals about their thoughts on health care reform. Since being elected in 2007, Congressman Hall has held more than 70 health care events in the Hudson Valley.

Rep. Hall addresses seniors in Somers, Wednesday

Senior citizens already receive the benefit of public insurance through Medicare and many of the questions in the room came regarding what effect the proposed legislation would have on the government program.

"Reform will strengthen and sustain Medicare far into the future," said Congressman John Hall. "Protecting Medicare is a bedrock principle and these reform efforts respect that. I'm here to listen to Hudson Valley residents, answer questions, and to bring the voices I hear back to Washington with me."

Hall addressed his three main principles for reform: preserving and expanding choices, improving quality of care, and reducing costs for families, seniors, small businesses and taxpayers. After concluding his brief remarks, Hall opened the floor to hear the thoughts and concerns of the audience.

"People care passionately about this issue, which touches everyone's life directly," Congressman Hall said. "I was happy to be able to answer so many questions, and I look forward to bring the opinions voiced back to Washington."

Arnold Gould, a community resident, shared his thoughts after the forum: "Congressman Hall's talk was quite enlightening. There's a lot of misinformation among the public, which Hall attempted to address. I'm a retired government worker, with Medicare and Blue Cross, which means I have the best medical care in the world. I'm in favor of reform because it won't take away from my care, and will help others who don't have good coverage."

Hall will be continuing his Health Care Listening Tour Thursday with a forum at the Monroe Senior Center 12:30pm. The event is open to the public. More information can be found at johnhall.house.gov.

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