Thursday evening, May 17th, residents of Redwood City and nearby communities heard health care reform advocates discuss problems with the current health care system in a meeting held at the Redwood City Veterans Memorial Senior Center. The free public event, titled "Solutions to the Healthcare Crisis," included the showing of a short film, presentations about health care reform plans currently under consideration in the Legislature, and general discussion with audience members about health care issues.

The meeting began with a welcome and introduction of speakers by Carole Dorshkind of the League of Women Voters. The audience then viewed the documentary film "The Healthcare Solution: California OneCare."

After the film Dr. James G. Kahn, Professor of Health Policy and Epidemiology at the University of California at San Francisco, spoke about the waste and high overhead costs of the existing system of private health insurance, citing recent studies and his own published research on this topic. Dr. Kahn also gave background information on SB 840, the California Universal Healthcare Act. Rich Watters of Health Care for All California presented brief summaries of four other health care reform proposals.

The audience questioned the speakers about different aspects of health care reform and the proposed solutions, and commented on various aspects of the current health care crisis, from lack of coverage to accelerating insurance premiums.

The meeting was sponsored by Health Care for All California (San Francisco/Mid-Peninsula Chapter) and League of Women Voters of South San Mateo County. Co-sponsors included the American Association of University Women, California Alliance for Retired Americans, and the California School Employees Association.

For additional information, call Rich Watters (650) 856-7430.