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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 25, 2007

Department Urges Aging Network, Community Leaders to Participate in Field Hearings on Access to Healthcare
Joint Effort of Ohio Legislature Seeks Input on Trends, Service Needs

COLUMBUS - The Ohio Department of Aging urges all Ohioans who provide services to older Ohioans and their families, as well as community leaders responsible for healthcare access in their region, to participate in a series of field hearings to be held over the next two weeks. The field hearings have been organized by the Ohio House Healthcare Access and Affordability Committee and the Ohio Senate Health, Human Services and Aging Committee to solicit public testimony from outside Columbus.

"These field hearings provide an excellent opportunity for individuals and leaders throughout the state to help shape future healthcare policy and provide legislators with first-hand accounts of the needs within our communities," said Barbara E. Riley, Director of the Ohio Department of Aging.

All parties are invited to testify before the joint committee, provided their testimony addresses one of four pre-defined topic areas:

1. What current healthcare trends do you observe in your region? Which work and which do not?
2. How do individuals' healthcare needs change as they age? How can the healthcare system adapt to meet these changing needs while ensuring quality and maximizing efficiency?
3. Which proposal(s) for healthcare reform seem to be the most viable, taking into account their effect on families, businesses and overall healthcare delivery?
4. How can the current system improve access, transparency, cost savings and efficiency, as well as promote healthy decisions by all Ohioans?

Time will be limited at each hearing to allow as many of those interested to testify. Preference will be given to those who contact the Chairman's office at 614-466-8120 before the event. Testimony must be provided in writing, as well, with a minimum of 30 copies required for all members of the committee and additional copies requested for the attending public.

Schedule of Committee Hearings (all hearings are from 5:30 to 7:30pm)

• July 30 - Southwest General Health Center, Cleveland
• July 31 - Medical College, Health Sciences Campus, Toledo
• Aug. 6 - Secrest Auditorium, Zanesville
• Aug. 7 - Clark County Heritage Center, Springfield
• Aug. 8 - Sharonville Convention Center, Sharonville

More information...

About ODA

The Ohio Department of Aging provides leadership for the delivery of services and supports that improve and promote quality of life and personal choice for older Ohioans, adults with disabilities, their families and their caregivers. Working with 12 area agencies on aging and other community partners, the department offers home- and community-based Medicaid waiver programs such as PASSPORT, the long-term care ombudsman program, the Golden Buckeye Card and more. Visit www.goldenbuckeye.com.