As the Senate continues its debate on the long road towards reforming America’s health care system the end is in sight. Over the past year, there has been discussion, thought, compromise and ideas to get the best solutions to lower costs, reduce premiums, and make sure everyone has access to insurance. This debate has focused on the needs of everyday Americans - those struggling beneath a mountain of debt from medical bills - forced into impossible decisions between filling a prescription bottle or stocking their refrigerator.
I'm trying something new. On Monday, December 21st at 1:00 pm I will hold my first Twitter Town Hall. As the Chairman of the House subcommittee and one of the chief authors of the House reform bill, I want you all to stay engaged in this issue. I want your input; your thoughts and ideas; your hopes and goals; even your criticisms. I hope you will join me.
I am optimistic that the Senate will vote out a bill shortly. After that, we will head into a Conference Committee to merge and reconcile the two bills before it goes to the President.
The process for the Twitter Town Hall is simple. At 1:00 pm, sign onto Twitter and direct a question to @FrankPallone with the hash tag "#ttpallone" at the end. I will work to answer as many questions as possible and respond replying directly to your Twitter account (in 140 characters or less). Please visit Pallone for New Jersey and RSVP.
Without the activists and bloggers in the netroots community staying involved with this issue I doubt we would have made as much progress in this time frame. We all worked hard to get a reform plan in line with our basic principles of lowering costs and covering every American. Please join me on December 21st at 1:00 pm so I can answer your questions and provide an updated perspective on the reform process.
I look forward to answering your questions and opening up a lively discussion on what we need to move forward and get a comprehensive bill to President Obama’s desk and be signed into law.
To sum things up, on Monday, December 21st at 1:00 pm, sign on to Twitter and ask me a question about the health care reform legislation by using the following formula in your tweet:
@FrankPallone – "question" "#ttpallone"