NASHVILLE - Citizens, advocates, parents, medical professionals, educators, and students will join Organizing for America and the Tennessee Democratic Party for a kickoff event at the Nashville Farmers’ Market on Saturday, June 27th from 8am to 4pm, to begin the push for health care reform in Tennessee.

The purpose of the Health Care Day of Service is to improve the health of the community through fitness, education, nutrition, and to raise awareness about the urgent need for health reform.

The day will begin with a 1.5 mile walk, followed by a panel discussion featuring health care experts, health care providers, and ordinary Tennesseans discussing their struggles with the current system. The day will conclude with a Health Care Fair where there will be free preventative health screenings, nutrition consulting, patient education and assistance materials. All events are free and open to the media.

“14.1% percent of Tennesseans are uninsured and countless others have inadequate coverage,” said Chip Forrester, Chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party. “Families across Tennessee are struggling to pay for skyrocketing health care costs. Our health care system is broken and the time to fix it is now. That’s why Tennesseans are coming together to call for reform and stand behind President Obama’s health care reform efforts. We can’t wait any longer.”

The panel at the event will include Chris Link, a small business owner in Nashville who was forced to lay off employees because he could not afford to cover their health insurance. President Obama recently cited Mr. Link’s story in a speech to the American Medical Association as evidence of how the broken health care system is hobbling our economy.

Also appearing on the panel are Landon Gibbs, a former White House Aide under George W. Bush, now Executive Director of SHOUTAmerica, a nonprofit youth-mobilization initiative, and Dr. Adrian Samuels, Professor of Health Administration and Science at Tennessee State University.

The schedule for the June 27th is as follows:
Community Walk - 8am to 9:30am
Expert Health Panel - 9:30am to 11am
Health Care Fair - 11am to 4pm

For more information or to sign up: my.barackobama.com