OAHCA Gubernatorial Candidate Forum
August 16, 2006

Partners in the Ohio Advocates for Health Care Access network held a special meeting on August 16, 2006 to hear from candidates and/or representatives from each gubernatorial campaign about their plans for health care policy in Ohio. In addition, Dan Leite provided a legislative and campaign update, and Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, executive director for the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food Banks, introduced The Benefit Bank initiative.

Rep. Tom Raga, running mate to Republican candidate and Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell, was scheduled to speak for Ohioans for Blackwell but had a scheduling conflict. Attending for the Blackwell campaign were policy analysts Ashley Morrow and Staci Hansel. Ashley and Staci conducted a discussion forum, asking OAHCA members to share their health care access concerns and questions.

Democratic candidate and Congressman Ted Strickland spoke to the OAHCA partners and other invited guests to share his views on health care access issues and provided a preview of his health care agenda. Following his presentation, Congressman Strickland took questions and comments from those in attendance.

Attached are the notes from both campaigns’ presentations.

OAHCA Meeting Notes (.pdf)

Click on a thumbnail to view the full image in a new window:

Ashley Morrow and Staci Hansel, policy analysts for Ohioans for Blackwell, listen to audience members about what their organizations are looking for in the next governor.

Congressman Ted Strickland, candidate for Governor of Ohio, takes questions from OAHCA members about his health care policy.

Jessie Martin from the American Diabetes Association presents Congressman Ted Strickland a picture on behalf of the children of Ohio who have Diabetes. Jessie has Diabetes and her family actively volunteers for the American Diabetes Association.