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Press Release, Democratic Party of Sarasota County, 10-September-2009
SARASOTA FL - The voices of many Sarasota County residents are not being heard in the debate on healthcare reform. Therefore, the Sarasota County Democratic Party has launched an online opinion survey. The purpose of the short survey, which is open to all Sarasota County residents, is to better understand local residents' needs and concerns regarding health care and health insurance.
The survey is on the Democratic Party's website, www.sarasotadems.org . Responses will be accepted through Sept. 23. Preliminary results will be reported on Sept. 26.
“I encourage everyone to join the conversation and make their voices heard,” said Rita Ferrandino, Sarasota County Democratic Party Chair. “You can make a difference right here in your own community.”
Additional Information
Why is the Sarasota Democratic Party running a survey on Healthcare Reform?
Healthcare reform, as an issue, is critical in the lives of us all. Many are weighing in with such passion that many other voices are being drowned out. After Congressman Buchanan's Town Hall Meeting in East Manatee, several people who attended told me they were too intimidated to speak in favor of reform. The purpose of the survey is to give a voice to those who feel they aren't being heard.
Representative Vern Buchanan recently mailed a Health Reform Survey to his constituents. Is the Democrats' survey just partisanship?
I was initially encouraged by the Congressman's apparent effort to seek out opinions from a wider group of his constituents. Unfortunately, the actual questions seemed aimed at constituents who have health insurance. The questions also failed to solicit opinions in many of the areas being debated.
How is the Democratic Party's survey different from Congressman Buchanan's?
Our survey attempts to both clarify the issues and provide a full range of multiple choice responses. For example, our survey differentiates between health care (actually receiving medical services) and health insurance (the processing of the bills for those services and determining how much the patient owes). Sarasota County residents who respond to the survey can express their concerns and preferences regarding health care and health insurance separately.
Is the Democratic Party's survey open to everyone?
Yes. We invite all the citizens of Sarasota County to express their opinions.
Will people who oppose Heathcare Reform be able to express their opposition?
Yes. One question provides an option to respond "No reform is required." The survey also provides a space for write-in comments and suggestions.
How can people without Internet access take your survey?
Sarasota County Libraries provide computers with Internet access at no charge to users. In addition, visitors to the Sarasota County Democratic Party's new headquarters at 7358 S. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota can complete the survey there.
Will you publish the results of your survey? When?
Yes. We will expect to announce preliminary results of the survey at the Grand Opening Celebration of our new headquarters on Sat., Sept. 26. We will also email survey results to everyone who provided their email addresses when they completed the survey.
What will you do with the information?
Naturally, we will share the results of the survey with Congressman Buchanan and both Senators Nelson and LeMieux. Copies of the report will also be sent to Rep. Kendrick Meek, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and others in Florida's Congressional delegation.
BACK to News and Views | VIEW the survey results
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