Sunday, August 30, 2009

Health Care Town Hall—Building on a Proud Tradition of Respect

By Ned Helms

As I was watching the coverage of the health reform debate and some of the more outrageous fringe language and behavior at “town halls” around the country it reminded me, as did both President Obama’s and (for the most part) our own Congressional delegation’s recent town meetings here, of the New Hampshire and New England approach to that amazing institution. At its core, the Town Meeting relies on an abiding commitment to the responsibility of citizenship, the blessing of free speech and the value of civility.

My first New Hampshire job many years ago was in the Office of Health Planning. I had a chance to work on the problem of alcohol and substance abuse. Governor Walter Peterson appointed me to a task force where I served with then Attorney General Rudman. It was a delicate topic that many have in the past and continue to demagogue, but Warren Rudman as Chair of the effort, kept our eye on the issue and the families it touched not on how to exploit the issue to get a headline.

I worked both in the state and in Washington DC for former Senator Tom McIntyre. I remember how he took pride in being a part of the democratic party but also how deeply loyal he was to the civility that allowed him, among other things, to shape national banking reform with Senator Ed Brooke, a republican.

All of us have been reminded as we have watched the commentary on the recent death of Senator Ted Kennedy that though he was known as the “Liberal Lion” and was a part of a storied family of democrats, his friendship and accomplishments with John McCain and Orin Hatch and other republican colleagues was central to how he defined his role as a public servant for almost 50 years.

So even though the extreme rhetoric and action of some has attracted the cameras and the talking heads the past few weeks let’s demand better. The discussion on healthcare will and should reflect the different views of each of us and our elected officials. But opinion should be grounded in facts, and our debate like our true town hall meeting tradition requires serious civil engagement, the privilege to respectfully disagree, and a collective belief that the path to a more perfect union requires us to listen, learn and grow together.

Reforming our health and health care system deserves the best, not the outrageous. We hope in the months ahead that Healthcare Town Hall will bring many voices to share their best thoughts on the direction we take on that journey.

Tags: Add new tag, Citizens Health Initiative, health, ned helms, Obama, reform

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