Iowa Town Hall Conversations Announced

The AARP Iowa Divided We Fail campaign invites Iowans to make their voices heard on health care and financial security issues by participating in one of 40 special town hall conversations planned across the state from June 4 to Aug. 2.

Iowa business owners, community leaders, medical and financial professionals and all interested persons are urged to take part in the conversation — "Iowa Voices for the Future," — to discuss the nation's most compelling domestic issues — health care and financial security.

"The rising costs of health care, the increasing number of uninsured Iowans, combined with the low rate of savings, and increasing retirement security concerns are issues that need to be addressed," said Bruce Koeppl, AARP Iowa Divided We Fail Campaign Manager.

"Every four years residents of Iowa are given the responsibility of listening and engaging presidential hopefuls as they crisscross the state. We hope these town hall conversations will spur attendees to demand solutions from candidates and their elected officials to the real health care and financial security challenges the people of Iowa face every day," Koeppl said.

A growing list of more than a dozen organizations has joined the Divided We Fail campaign and Iowa Voices for the Future so that all who have a stake in the future of health and financial security are represented in the conversations. Iowa Divided We Fail team members include: AARP, former Gov. Terry Branstad, DeWaay Captial Management, Des Moines University, Easter Seals Iowa, the Iowa Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, Iowa Caregivers Association., Iowa Credit Union League, the Iowa Health Care Association, LTC (Insurers) Guild, Principal Financial Group, Qwest Communications, SEIU Iowa and Wells' Dairy Inc.

The conversations will be led by a trained moderator utilizing a process called public deliberation, where citizens are able to convene, frame, record, and report on the community conversation. This process enables groups to engage in discussion, not debate, on sensitive issues.

The Iowa conversations are part of a series of more than 100 conversations being hosted across Iowa and the early primary and caucus states of New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada.

Iowa Town Hall Conversations are free and open to all interested parties. Refreshments will be served. Please register for the conversation in your area by calling toll-free, 1-877-926-8300 or by e-mailing iaaarp@aarp.org. Additional information can be found at www.aarp.org/ia.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates.

About Divided We Fail

Americans should have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that their futures will be financially secure. Yet, millions of Americans worry about their health and long-term financial security. For many, the American dream is eroding along with this security. We can't let this happen.

AARP, Business Roundtable, and SEIU are stepping up to this challenge with Divided We Fail so that Americans can achieve long-term financial security and get the health care they need. We intend to rally individuals, policymakers and business leaders to this cause, whether it be:

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