Parma representative Tim DeGeeter is a member of the new House Healthcare Access and Affordability Committee and he says they've been researching the topic since February, hearing from a variety of experts including several from other states, to learn what has and hasn't worked - and what is practical for Ohio.
Tim DeGeeter: We have about 1.3 million uninsured in Ohio. It's an issue facing the state, facing our residents, facing businesses out there, facing the medical community, about how to make health care a lot more accessible, and at the same time, affordable.
DeGeeter says the goal of the field hearings is to take testimony from medical professionals, families and other health care providers to get a sense of the particular issues affecting Ohioans. The lawmakers plan to return to Columbus after the legislative break in September and develop policies.
These field hearings begin later today at Southwest General Health Center in Middleburg Heights. The session is scheduled to run from 5:30 to 7:30. David C. Barnett, 90.3.