The meeting was called to order by Joyce Akins, Club President, at 10:15 a.m.  Joyce introduced Mike Laster who was  moderator for our  "The Future of Health Care" long-awaited panel discussion.

Panelists were David Lopez, Ken Kenegos, Dr. Margaret Nosek, and Dr. Jim Granato.  Several questions were prepared in advance and asked of the panel as time was limited.  The first question was "Why do we need health care reform?  What's wrong with the system?"

Some comments from the panelists included:  Advocating basic health care for everyone.  Administrative costs are 30% of health care dollars:  free up some of this money for actual care.  Health care is a right...but what do we want...what do we want to pay for....who makes the decision?....ethics and morals comes into play.  Need to modify our behaviors--smoking, drinking, obesity, and drug abuse.  We need more competition in the supply of medical care--not monopolistic care....allow for interstate competition but would that be a race to the bottom?....to the states with the worst legislation?   Not advocating that doctors work for the government but promoting competition at the delivery of health care...this is part of desire for a single payer system.  Q&A followed the discussion.

After the panel, several March Primary candidates were introduced:  Gordon Quan, Kathy Stone, Mark Eisenberg, Boris Miles and reps for Chuck Silverman and P. Walters.

 Mike Laster thanked the club for their support on his candidacy for Houston City Council and he is going to continue to work hard for Sharpstown despite his loss.  Mike also talked about how all votes do count--he lost precincts by only 16 votes at some.

Bert Anson, Chair of SD17, announced the need for precinct chairs and the need for volunteers.

Joyce announced that club elections are coming up and the members will be presented a slate of candidates next month.

The meeting adjourned at 12:05 p.m.  Our next meeting is February 27, 2010.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Haper, Secretary