Cuellar holds 'Tele-town hall' on healthcare reform
By
Ray Gomez
Story Created:
Aug 18, 2009
Story Updated:
Aug 20, 2009
Following rowdy town hall meetings across the country, many Washington lawmakers are trying other methods to get out the word about healthcare reform. For Laredo Congressman Henry Cuellar, getting out the word meant a tele-town hall meeting. It was a chance to talk to constituents picked by a firm hired by the Congressman. After Cuellar made a brief introduction from his Laredo law offices, those dialed into a teleconference asked several questions about healthcare issues. The Congressman claims some 6,000 listeners from all over his district were tuned in.
Most of the questions, however, came from the small area of his district near San Antonio. One of the Congressman's aides did not allow us inside his office during the teleconference. However, Mister Cuellar did talk to us after it was all over, specifically on what he was trying to accomplish and what he was trying to learn tonight.
“We asked how concerned are you about your family's rising cost? About 84% of the people said they're very concerned. We asked people what are the aspects of the healthcare system you're concerned about? We're trying to get a lot of information."
The Congressman took several polls during the tele-town hall. He says they will help guide him on which direction healthcare reform should go.
