Updated below, 1:55pm. Update on video availability, 4:28pm. Update: Hipparchia found wicked cool video search feature at C-Span*. Enter search term, links come up in video box; click on link and video plays from that point.

This program is currently available on video, but I'm not sure how long C-Span keeps this kind of thing available. It runs two hours. Click on Flash box on left of screen.

Program Description: Nancy-Ann DeParle facilitated a meeting with representatives of health care companies and community organizations. They discussed health care issues from consumer and provider perspectives, various proposals to reform health care insurance, inefficiencies in providing care, and methods to reduce costs.

The people (under handy tab labled People) involved are all Team Obama or health care organizaions, either schools, associations, or businesses. Susan Kelly, President, Charles Drew University, is a new citizen from Australia who runs a medical school in LA, an area where the average income is $11,000/year, which she noted pointedly is less than she pays for health insurance per year (yikes? her school doesn't cover her? or that's what it pays?). She pointedly noted that no one in Australia, which covers from inception to death, is bankrupted by health care costs, but that in the US one family a minute goes into bankruptcy due to health care expenses.

A VP from United Health Care spoke movingly of the need for healthcare directives for the elderly. A person involved in a chronic illness care association said raising deductibles and copays completely undermines the care necessary to manage chronic illnesses.

Someone remarked that TR and FDR both wanted universal care; Nancy DeParle said that had been noted by Obama when he kicked off the healthcare forums. Sounded like that was supposed to cover it and no more need be said....

Another WH healthcare forum from Monday was referenced--was that CA? Sounded like another groups of professionals, however.

I found this by chance, but it is interesting -- and revealing. Other than the former Aussie, I don't see anyone from the Everybody In-Nobody Out type groups. I'm not sure where Consumers Union stands; their health care director is there. However, I don't know all the players there; others here might.

Update: Rebecca Adelman, the WH "live blogger" previously reported on by lambert, has blogged this forum on the White House site. Note that her summary of Susan Kelly's comments leaves out mention of benefits of Australia's universal coverage.

11:07: Dr. Susan Kelly, President of Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science, is giving a passionate presentation about the state of the health care system in southern Los Angeles. She notes that for over 1.5 million people there is one hospital, and that the average person in southern LA spends under a dollar each year on health care because so few people receive treatment. She is urging that the health reform conversation speak to the shortage of affordable care in communities like these.

Makes me wonder if Ms. Adelman worked for the MCM and learned her lessons well: report what power wants heard.

*Hipparchia's wicked cool find at C-Span. At C-Span, enter search term, links come up in video box; click on link and video plays from that point."Hipparchia found wicked cool video search feature at C-Span. Enter search term in search box below Flash icon; links come up in video box; click on one you want and video begins playing. It's FM!

This is a great tool, as lambert notes. Gives me chills. Of course, it's below 50 degrees here in Northern NJ, so that may cause the chills....