Why, O Why, Won't Shea-Porter Hold a Town Hall?

by: Dean Barker

Fri Aug 21, 2009 at 18:42:29 PM EDT

Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter will hold two town hall meetings next Saturday, her office tells NHPoliticalReport.com.

The Aug. 29th events will be held in Portsmouth and Manchester. Details will be announced later.

If Frank Guinta shows up with some tea party sign, let's ask him why he hasn't countered the disgusting lies his party is peddling on Death Panels.

Adding: Of course, Carol Shea-Porter already hosted a town hall that reached over 13,500 constituents at once (see press release below the fold), but because it kept out the people whose only aim is to disrupt actual debate it employed technology the GOP didn't like it.

And speaking of that press release below the fold, this part is well worth repeating above (boldface mine):

The Congresswoman also answered questions regarding the public option, the exchange, rising hospital costs, electronic medical records, wellness and prevention, and end of life counseling.  She also refuted the false claims regarding the now debunked "death panel" rumors, as well as the inaccurate claim that all taxpayers will be forced to pay for abortions.  

...Earlier this week, the Congresswoman called the White House and expressed her strong support for a public option.

Congresswoman Shea-Porter Hosts Health Care Tele-town Hall, Reaches More Than 13,500 New Hampshire Households

NEW HAMPSHIRE - Tonight, Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter spoke about health care reform to more than 13,500 of her constituents who participated in her live health care tele-town hall.  The tele-town hall, which was made available to more than 100,000 1st District constituents, lasted for an hour and a half and the Congresswoman answered more than 20 questions.

"Health care reform is the most significant issue being debated in Congress and it's important to reach as many constituents as possible," said Congresswoman Shea-Porter. "I am pleased that so many people participated in tonight's tele-town hall and I look forward to continuing the conversation at my town hall meetings."

Congresswoman Shea-Porter was joined by Dr. Mary Wakefield, the highest ranking nurse in the Obama Administration and the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). HRSA includes programs important to New Hampshire, including support for community health centers and health care workforce development.

The Congresswoman received a wide range of questions from both health care reform supporters and opponents during the tele-town hall. Bonnie from Chatham asked the Congresswoman how the bill was going to be paid for and George from Kingston asked about whether his wife's medication would be rationed. The Congresswoman also answered questions regarding the public option, the exchange, rising hospital costs, electronic medical records, wellness and prevention, and end of life counseling.  She also refuted the false claims regarding the now debunked "death panel" rumors, as well as the inaccurate claim that all taxpayers will be forced to pay for abortions.  

As a member of the Education and Labor Committee, the Congresswoman sits on one of the three House committees that has jurisdiction over health care legislation.  On July 17th, Shea-Porter voted to report the health care bill out of committee, which allows the bill to be considered by the full House.  Earlier this week, the Congresswoman called the White House and expressed her strong support for a public option.