Shaker Heights town hall meeting on health care reform.
Listen to President Obama's entire speech in Shaker Heights
Listen to the Obama questions and answers with the audience
Heart Patient Richard Kapper talks with WTAM's Darren Toms(
Shaker Heights)- President Barack Obama visited greater Cleveland today. The President spoke about his health care overhaul plan during a town hall style meeting at Shaker Heights High School.
School officials have been prepping for the big event since Friday. Spokeswoman Peggy Caldwell says, there's tremendous pride in getting the building ready for the President. The schools staff and the White House are putting in wiring, a sound system, and are setting up a stage.
The meeting will start around 2:15 pm, and we'll stream it live here at WTAM.com.
The forum follow's Obama's visit to the Cleveland Clinic. The President’s tour included a presentation on the Clinic’s health information technology (HIT) initiatives and a demonstration of robotically assisted heart valve repair that speeds up patients’ recovery time and decreases cost.
Click for photo gallery of the Obama Protesters
Heart Patient Richard Kapper met with the President and discussed his procedure. Kapper says he was nervous, but Obama put everyone at ease.
“We are honored to have President Obama at the Cleveland Clinic today to observe our patient-centered system that delivers high-quality care to patients while controlling costs,” said Delos “Toby” Cosgrove, M.D., CEO and President of Cleveland Clinic. “We strongly believe that our focus on quality, efficiency, wellness and prevention combined with clinical innovation and health information technology positions Cleveland Clinic as a leader in healthcare and a model for the future.”
President Obama’s visit included a demonstration of robotically assisted mitral valve repair. This minimally invasive technique is an example of how Cleveland Clinic – ranked No. 1 for heart care for 15 straight years by U.S. News & World Report – provides outstanding outcomes at lower costs. Compared with valve replacement, mitral valve repair provides better long-term survival, lower risk of complications, and usually avoids the need for long-term use of blood thinners.
Shaker Heights Police Chief Scott Lee says the Presidential visit is very exciting, but is also taxing for local police departments and cities that have to pay for overtime and other resources.
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