As a vote on health care reform nears, Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) will have the benefit of input gathered at over 50 events on his Health Care Listening Tour. The tour provided the Congressman with an opportunity to hear ideas and concerns from a wide range of constituents and to develop a better understanding of the complicated policy surrounding comprehensive health care reform.

The events are listed below and available here. The list will be updated online as the Congressman gathers more input.

Stops Along Congressman Himes’ Health Care Listening Tour
                                                                                                                                         
October 12: Fairfield County Medical Association Meeting
Congressman Jim Himes attended the Fairfield County Medical Association semi-annual meeting in Stamford to learn more about the critical issues facing physicians in Fairfield County, specifically federal health care delivery system reform and the proposed changes to the Medicare program which begin in January 2010.

October 7: Telephone Town Hall on Health Care Reform
Congressman Himes held a telephone town hall meeting with constituents to discuss health care reform. Calls were placed to over 30 thousand constituents selected at random who were able to participate in a live question and answer session with the Congressman. Topics covered included Medicare, tort reform, allowing interstate competition for health insurance, and reducing overall costs in the health care system.

October 6: Tour of NIH and Meeting with New Director
Congressman Jim Himes visited the National Institute of Health (NIH) clinical research hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. He and other Members of Congress met with the newly confirmed director Dr. Francis Collins to learn more about NIH-sponsored research and development.

October 3: Community Forum at Triangle Community Center
Congressman Jim Himes attended a community forum on Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender issues at Triangle Community Center in Norwalk with approximately 20 constituents. The Congressman listened to concerns of the LGBT community regarding HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention and answered general questions about the proposed health care legislation, the public option, and the high cost of medical supplies.

September 22: Telephone Town Hall with AARP
Congressman Himes was the guest on a telephone town hall meeting hosted by AARP and its members in the 4th Congressional District. The call was moderated by the AARP’s Connecticut executive director who, along with the Congressman, answered questions from Fairfield County seniors about how their health care and Medicare would be affected by the reform legislation pending in Congress.

September 20: Meeting with JDRF Children and Families for “Promise to Remember Me”
Congressman Jim Himes met with 100 children with Type 1 diabetes and their families in Stamford to learn how juvenile diabetes has impacted their lives and what he can do to best bring their concerns to the forefront during the debate over health care reform.

September 18: Roundtable Discussion with Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce
Congressmen Jim Himes attended a roundtable discussion with over 150 members of the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce to discuss the proposed health care reform legislation and its potential impact on small businesses.

September 18: Forum with Emergency Health Care Providers
Congressman Jim Himes met with physicians, nurses, and malpractice attorneys at Norwalk Hospital to discuss emergency services’ part in health care legislation. Congressman Himes developed a better understanding of how malpractice insurance affects the emergency room care and its costs.

September 12: Tour of AmeriCares Free Clinic
Congressman Jim Himes visited AmeriCares Free Clinic in Norwalk to tour the facilities and find out how the non-profit organization helps to provide quality health care to Connecticut’s low-income and uninsured residents.

September 11: Meeting with Residents at Saugatuck Senior Living Facility
Congressman Jim Himes met with individuals from the Saugatuck Senior Living Facility in Westport to discuss funding for the facility, as well as concerns residents have regarding developments in health care legislation.

September 11: Tour of Optimus Health Care
Congressman Jim Himes toured Optimus Health Care in Bridgeport  with other local elected leaders. Optimus Health Care, formerly Bridgeport Community Health Center, Inc., is the largest provider of primary health care services in Southwestern Connecticut.  Optimus provides comprehensive health care services to everyone, regardless of race, income, or insurance status.

September 8: Listening Session Tour of Planned Parenthood Facilities
Congressman Jim Himes toured the Planned Parenthood facilities in Bridgeport to learn about the organization’s services and gather input on  proposed health care reform legislation.

September 3: Stamford Hospital Physician Health Care Discussion
Congressman Jim Himes met with physicians from Stamford Hospital in to gain a better understanding of how providers view proposed health care reform legislation.

September 3: Listening Session with Individuals Maligned by Insurance Companies
Congressman Jim Himes met with constituents who have been personally maligned by health insurance companies to hear their stories and find out what changes they believe are necessary in health care reform. This listening session took place in his Bridgeport office.

September 3: Health Care Town Hall Forum in Bridgeport
Congressman Jim Himes held a town hall meeting attended by over 900 constituents and invited individuals to share their opinions and concerns regarding proposed health care legislation. The Congressman shared his views on health care reform and answered questions and dispelled myths about the proposed legislation. Due to extremely high turnout in Norwalk at a similar event the evening before, the Congressman moved the forum the morning of the event from a 450-seat venue to the Klein Auditorium to accommodate the larger crowd.

September 2: Meeting with Executives and Employees of Pitney Bowes
Congressman Jim Himes met with executives and employees from Pitney Bowes to discuss how changes in health care legislation will impact their business operations and employees. This event took place at the company’s world headquarters in Stamford.

September 2: Health Care Roundtable with Bridgeport Professional Women’s Group
Congressman Jim Himes attended a roundtable with Bridgeport Regional Business Council Women’s Leadership Council to discuss concerns that women and their families face in accessing quality, affordable health care. The event was hosted by Pullman & Comley in Bridgeport at 5:00pm.

September 2: Health Care Town Hall Forum in Norwalk
Congressman Jim Himes held a town hall meeting attended by over 1200 constituents and invited individuals to share their opinions and concerns regarding proposed health care legislation. The Congressman shared his views on health care reform and answered questions and dispelled myths about the proposed legislation. This event took place at the Norwalk High School Auditorium at 6:30 in the evening.

September 1: Meeting with Residents of Meadow Ridge Retirement Community
Congressman Jim Himes met with over 400 senior residents of the Meadow Ridge Retirement Community in Redding to discuss health care reform and to address their concerns relating to Medicare.

September 1: Meeting with the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce
Congressman Jim Himes met with members of the National Federation of Independent Businesses and the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce to discuss how health care reform will impact small businesses. This event took place in Shelton.

August 31: Meeting with Nursing & Home Care Board
Congressman Jim Himes met with board members and employees of Nursing & Home Care to learn about innovations in telemedicine and how it has helped to reduce hospitalizations and health care costs. Following the meeting, the Congressman toured the facilities and got a hands-on introduction to telemedicine.

August 31: Health Care Town Hall Meeting in Greenwich broadcast live on WGCH Radio
Congressman Jim Himes held a town hall meeting attended by over 200 constituents. The Congressman shared his views on health care reform and answered questions and dispelled myths about the proposed legislation.  This event took place at the Greenwich Town Hall Meeting Room at 6:30pm and was broadcast live by WGCH Radio.

August 30: Congress on Your Corner
Congressman Jim Himes held community coffee hours in Weston and encouraged the public to share their thoughts, ideas, and concerns regarding health care reform. Over one hundred constituents attended to share their opinions on proposed health care reform legislation.

August 30: Congress on Your Corner
Congressman Jim Himes held community coffee hours in Wilton and encouraged the public to stop by and share their thoughts, ideas, and concerns regarding health care reform.. Over one hundred constituents attended to share their opinions on proposed health care reform legislation. This event took place at the Wilton Town Hall Annex room at 3:00 P.M.

August 28: Meeting with Norwalk Seniors
Congressman Jim Himes met with his Senior Advisory Group to discuss how health care legislation will impact seniors. This meeting took place at the Norwalk Senior Center.

August 28: Visit to the Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut
Congressman Jim Himes visited the Child Guidance Center of Mid-Fairfield County to learn about the center’s innovative and critical behavioral health, afterschool, and prevention programs. The center provides services for children and their families without discrimination, and fees are charged on a sliding scale based on the ability to pay. The facility is located in Stamford.

August 28: Panelist at Republican Town Committee Health care Forum
Congressman Jim Himes served as a panelist at a health care forum sponsored by the Ridgefield Republican Town Committee alongside state senators, physicians, and health care executives. The forum, which was open to the public, allowed the panelists to express their views regarding proposed changes in legislation and answer questions from the audience. The event was held at Veterans Park Elementary School in Ridgefield.

August 27: Forum with Fairfield County Medical Association
Congressman Jim Himes attended a discussion in Trumbull with Fairfield County doctors of varying specialties to gather input and hear their ideas and concerns about how the evolving health care reform legislation would impact their individual practices.

August 5: Roundtable Discussion and Tour of Southwest Community Health Center
Congressman Jim Himes toured the Southwest Community Health Center in Bridgeport to witness firsthand how the Recovery Act is working to bolster the local economy. The Health Center is a source for comprehensive primary and preventative care for Connecticut residents, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.

August 5: Meeting with Terex Corporation Executives and Employees
Congressman Jim Himes met with 70 executives and employees at the Terex Corporation in Westport to discuss how health care legislation would impact local businesses. Terex Corporation is one of the ten largest companies based in Connecticut with approximately 250 people employed at their Westport location. Following the meeting with executives, the Congressman held a question and answer session with Terex team members.

July 17: Telephone Town Hall on Health Care Reform
Congressman Himes held a telephone town hall meeting with constituents to discuss health care reform. Calls were placed to 30 thousand constituents selected at random who were able to participate in a live question and answer session with the Congressman. Topics covered included Medicare, what health care reform would mean for small businesses, and the likelihood of a government-run alternative to private health insurance.

July 6: Tour of Greenwich Hospital and Meeting with Hospital CEO
Congressman Jim Himes toured Greenwich Hospital and met with the CEO to better understand the challenges hospitals face and get his perspective on what reforms need to be made to the current health care system.

June 22: Tour of Maefair Health Care Center Visit
Congressman Jim Himes toured Maefair Health Care Center in Trumbull to learn about the comprehensive rehabilitative services it offers in order to maximize wellness for its residents. The Congressman met with residents and listened to their concerns and answered questions regarding proposed health care reform legislation.

May 29: Meeting with Norwalk Hospital Executives
Congressman Jim Himes met with executives from Norwalk Hospital to discuss the challenges the hospital faces as it continues to outgrow its current facilities. Following the meeting, the Congressman took a tour of the new emergency department which saw upgrades as a result of federal funding.

May 28: Smart Progress for Connecticut Forum
Congressman Jim Himes held a public forum to outline his plan for job creation and smart investments to prepare Southwestern Connecticut for long-term economic growth. The Congressman gathered input on a legislative and constituent service agenda that focuses on transportation, health care, education, and green energy. The event was held at the Pequot Library in Southport at 6:00 P.M.

May 27: Round Table with Stamford Hospital Executives
Congressman Jim Himes met with executives from Stamford Hospital to discuss their needs of the hospital in terms of funding, planning for the future, and how health care reform could affect them. Following the round table discussion, the Congressman toured the hospital’s cutting-edge clean energy facility, an integral piece of the hospital’s effort to follow smart development principles.

May 1: Meeting with AmeriCares CEO
Congressman Jim Himes met with the AmeriCares CEO to learn more about the global aid organization and they work they are doing in Connecticut. AmeriCares has free clinics in Bridgeport and Norwalk that provide health care to thousands of uninsured residents every year. Following the meeting, the Congressman toured the Stamford Headquarters.

April 21: Meeting with Orthopedic Specialty Group
Congressman Himes met with doctors from the Orthopedic Specialty group to learn more about their concerns within the health care industry and how they feel the Congressman can best represent them in Washington. This meeting was held in Fairfield.

April 17: Press conference and meeting to highlight Recovery funding for Health IT
Congressman Himes held a press conference and met with executives from St. Vincent’s Hospital in Bridgeport to discuss health care IT initiatives funded by the Recovery Act. A tour of the facility followed the meeting.

April 17: Silver Hill Psychiatric Hospital Tour
Congressman Himes toured Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan and learned more about issues currently facing the hospital. Silver Hill is a nationally distinguished, not-for-profit psychiatric hospital treating both psychiatric illness and substance use disorders.

April 16: Himes Meets with Retired Men’s Group
Congressman Himes met with the Y’s Men, a group of retired and semi-retired men from Westport and Weston, to discuss the proposed health care reform legislation. The Y’s Men meet once a week to hear prominent individuals share their experiences. Over 300 individuals attended this meeting held at the Saugatuck Congregational Church in Westport.

April 16: A Public Dialogue of Personal Health Needs and Professional Perspectives
Congressman Himes hosted a health care panel discussion with representatives from across the health care debate. Audience members questioned the panel on topics ranging from the high cost of prescription drugs to how electronic medical records could benefit patients and reduce errors in the delivery of care. This event was held at the University of Connecticut, Stamford at 7:00 in the evening.

April 15: Health Care Forum with Chris Murphy
Fairfield County Medical Association hosted Congressmen Jim Himes and Chris Murphy to discuss needed improvements in the health care industry. Approximately 100 doctors attended the event at the Bridgeport Hospital.

April 15: Round Table Discussion and Press Conference with Local Nurses
Congressman Himes held a roundtable discussion with nurses and nurse educators to discuss the challenges they face in providing health care. Following the round table, the Congressman and the nurses held a press availability with local reporters. The event took place at the Norwalk Hospital.

April 14: Round Table Discussion with Pharmaceutical Industry
Congressman Himes met with pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim to hear their views on how health care reform would affect their business.  The event took place at the Boehringer Ingelheim office in Ridgefield.

April 14: Health Care Forum with Health Care for America Now
Congressman Himes was a guest panelist at a health care forum hosted by the Health Care for America Now organization. Over 60 constituents attended the event at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield to discuss reforms necessary in the health care industry.

April 9: Round Table Discussion with Health Care Private Equity Firms
Congressman Himes met with multiple health care private equity firms to discuss the potential regulation of their industry.  The round table took place in Stamford.

April 8: Meeting with Local Pharmaceutical Industry Executives
Congressman Himes met with insurance and pharmaceutical industry executives and gathered input from them on what different aspects of health care reform would mean for their businesses. The event took place at the Purdue Pharma headquarters in Stamford.

March 31: Meeting with Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Congressman Himes met with local members of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in his Washington, DC office. They highlighted the importance of NIH funding for research and education to ensure quality treatment of pancreatic cancer.

March 5: Meeting with Fairfield County Members of the American Osteopathic Association
Congressman Himes met with osteopathic physicians and students from Fairfield County in his Washington, DC office to discuss health care reform. Participants highlighted the necessity of a well-trained physician workforce in improving access to quality health care.

March 4: Meeting with Fragile X Patient Advocates
Congressman Himes met with advocates for those suffering from Fragile X Syndrome and other rare gene-linked diseases. At the meeting in his Washington, DC office the group discussed their federal funding priorities for advanced medical research.

February 5: Tour of Norwalk Community Health Center and Press Conference to Highlight S-CHIP Expansion
Congressman Himes met with patients, doctors, nurses, and administrative staff at the Norwalk Community Health Center to discuss the expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program signed into law by President Obama in late January. Before the press conference, the Congressman toured the center, which received $1.3 million in funding from the Recovery Act.