ALBION, Mich. – The hot topics of health care, including local issues and the tobacco-settlement spending, will be addressed during a public appearance by state senate candidates Mickey Mortimer and Mark Schauer.  This information and discussion session will take place at Albion College’s Bobbitt Auditorium on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at 7 p.m.

The forum is intended as a public opportunity to discuss health care issues, says Amy Terstriep, director of the College’s Pre-Medical and Health Care Institute.  It serves a second purpose as well, notes Terstriep.  “I also wanted Albion's pre-health and public policy students to have the opportunity to learn more about the community's health concerns and about health care policy issues in the state of Michigan.”

To that end, the first half of the forum will have candidates Mortimer and Schauer addressing questions that are prepared in advance by Albion College students.  These questions will focus specifically on public policy issues.  Following the student questions, an open discussion regarding health and health-related issues will take place.

Terstriep stresses that this forum will also provide the Albion community with an important educational opportunity.  “In Albion, we have been forced to find new ways to deliver health care for our area and that has included becoming advocates for ourselves,” says Terstriep.  “[We all need to be] more aware of county, state, and federal level policy issues and programs.  I hope that this forum will also be useful in helping area residents make these connections.”

Schauer, a resident of Battle Creek, was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in November 1996. Prior to his election to the State House in 1996, he was a Battle Creek City Commissioner and had served as the Coordinator for the Calhoun County Human Services Coordinating Council, Executive Director of the Community Action Agency of South Central Michigan, and as Urban Planner for the Calhoun County Planning Department. 

Mortimer is the current state representative for Jackson and Eaton counties.  Following a career in finance and management, he served two terms as Jackson County Clerk before being elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 1998. 

This forum is free and the public is encouraged to attend.  For more information, contact Terstriep at 517-629-0336 or aterstriep@albion.edu.

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