Walz, Peterson to host health care forums

Talk about it

MANKATO (AP) — U.S. Rep. Tim Walz had a quiet meeting on health care with hand-picked constituents earlier this week, but now it’s time for a town hall meeting with the general public.

It’s been in the town halls were the frustrated, angry tone of this summer’s debate over health care policy has come to the surface in town after town.

The Democrat will host the meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 20, at the Mankato East High School Auditorium in Mankato.

In holding the private meeting in friendly surroundings Tuesday, Walz joined some Democrats who opted for smaller gatherings after seeing town halls be disrupted by vocal opponents.

Another Democrat, U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson, will host a public roundtable meeting on health care Friday in Willmar.

The roundtable discussion, which will focus on controlling health care spending while improving access to quality care, is one of two health care meetings Peterson is hosting in the 7th District.

The session in Willmar is at 2 p.m. Friday at the Kandiyohi County Health and Human Services Building, in the community room on the building’s lower level.

The public is invited to attend and participate.

The event will start with a panel of local stakeholders and experts and a moderated panel discussion, followed by questions from the audience.

A second roundtable will be Monday in Bemidji.

Tags: state and region, tim walz, collin peterson, healthcare reform, news, healthcare