Oklahoma Watch has announced its first in a series of public events entitled “Oklahoma Watch-Out:” a community forum on Sept. 24 at which two prominent officials will speak and take questions on the Affordable Care Act.
The forum will take place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. that Tuesday at Kamps 1910 Café, 10 N.E. 10th St., in Oklahoma City.
The full news release follows:
For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Evie Holzer
events@oklahomawatch.org
State Health Commissioner Terry Cline and Variety Care Executive Director Andrew Rice Featured Guests at First “Oklahoma Watch-Out” Sept. 24
Oklahoma Watch launches community question-and-answer forum with first event focused on the Affordable Care Act
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma’s State Commissioner of Health Terry Cline and Variety Care Foundation Executive Director Andrew Rice will join Oklahoma Watch for “Oklahoma Watch-Out: A Community Forum on the Affordable Care Act” Tuesday, Sept. 24, from 6-7 p.m. at Kamps 1910 Café at 10 N.E. 10th St. in Oklahoma City. Those interested in attending can RSVP to events@oklahomawatch.org.
Oklahoma Watch editorial staff launched the “Oklahoma Watch-Out” event series to further the non-profit’s mission, which is to dig beneath the surface of public-policy issues affecting the state
and, by informing, help improve the lives of Oklahomans. The Sept. 24 event on health care reform is the first in the series. Executive Editor David Fritze and other members of the editorial staff will moderate the discussion. Attendees are encouraged to come with questions.
Cline began his tenure as Oklahoma’s Commissioner of Health in June 2009. In February 2011, Gov. Mary Fallin appointed him to serve concurrently as Oklahoma’s Cabinet Secretary of Health and Human Services. Cline previously completed a post as health attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, serving in this capacity under the administrations of President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama.
On the state level, Cline was appointed by Gov. Brad Henry as Oklahoma’s Secretary of Health in 2004. At the same time, he served as Oklahoma’s Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, a position he had held since January 2001.
A native of Ardmore, Okla., Cline attended the University of Oklahoma, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1980. He then received both a master’s degree and a doctorate in clinical psychology from Oklahoma State University.
Rice is the executive director of the Variety Care Foundation, which provides charitable support for Oklahoma’s largest community health center organization, Variety Care, Inc.
As a community health center, Variety Care serves as a resource for health care for insured and uninsured people who have problems getting access to medical services. Community health centers provide a broad range of primary and preventive health care services at affordable rates as part of a mission to improve the overall health of communities.
An Oklahoma City native, Rice is a former Oklahoma state senator and Senate Minority Leader who served central Oklahoma City from 2006 to 2012. He has a background working across the nation and internationally to improve the social and economic circumstances of people in need.
Rice graduated from Colby College in Waterville, Maine, in 1996. He received a master’s in theological studies from Harvard University Divinity School in 1999. Rice was a journalist from 1999 to 2002, working for BBC America and PBS on education and film industry issues.
About Oklahoma Watch
Oklahoma Watch is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that produces in-depth and investigative journalism about important public-policy issues facing the state. For more information and to make a donation, visit www.oklahomawatch.org.
