APTS Applauds House Leadership on Health Reform Bill

WASHINGTON – November 6, 2009 – The Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) commends Congressman Dingell and the House Leadership for continuing to recognize the critical role of disease prevention and wellness education in comprehensive health reform legislation.

“We applaud Representatives Dingell, Waxman, Andrews, Miller, Pallone, Rangel, Stark and the entire House Leadership for providing in their health reform legislation meaningful resources to local disease prevention and wellness education services through competitive grants for which public television stations would be eligible,” said Larry Sidman, President and CEO of APTS.

Sidman continued: “Our nation can save tens if not hundreds of billions of dollars annually by preventing debilitating conditions from developing in the first place. Public television stations, with their ubiquitous reach and unmatched trust, are already working in partnership with community institutions, doctors, nurses, hospitals, universities and state and local governments to foster better health and defend against disease.”

Sidman concluded: “We thank Congress for their dedication to health reform at this critical time. Public television stations across the country provide video programming, on-line, interactive content and on-the-ground partnerships to address disease prevention and wellness education. With the help of Congress, we will expand these critical programs, addressing the local needs of our communities.”