Panel to discuss debate surrounding Affordable Care Act

A panel of distinguished speakers will discuss the debate surrounding the Affordable Care Act during a 90-minute discussion scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 5 in the Bazarsky Lecture Hall.

The Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) has proven to be one of the most controversial pieces of national legislation passed in years. Despite being an important piece of Obama’s successful campaign platform, the ACA has had to survive a Supreme Court challenge as well as other threats – and most notably, was cited as the casus belli for a Republican shutdown of the federal government.

The purpose of this event is not to discuss the legislation itself, but rather the debate surrounding the ACA. How has this debate reflected aspects of the current national political atmosphere? What are the implications of this contentious debate for future policymaking and public dialog?

The discussion is sponsored by the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy and will be moderated by senior fellow Joseph Grady, who will contribute additional perspectives on public dialogue about the issue. Audience members will be encouraged to contribute questions and opinions.

Panel members include:

• Robert Hackey, visiting fellow at the Pell Center, director of the health policy and management program at Providence College and author of “Cries of Crisis”
• Richard Holtzman, associate professor of political science at Bryant University

For more information, or to RSVP, contact the Pell Center at (401) 341-2927 or pellcenter@salve.edu.