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New Rochelle, NY, September 21, 2001 - Iona College will host its first "Town Hall Debate" at 7 pm on Wednesday, Oct. 3, at Spellman Hall on the main campus of the college, located at 715 North Ave. in New Rochelle. Featuring three experts in the medical field, the topic of the debate will consider the idea "The U.S. Health Care System Has Failed."

Supporting that idea will be Dr. Sunil S. Jhangiani, MD, MBA, Gastroenterologist and Nutrition Specialist at Our Lady of Mercy University Hospital and Medical Center in the Bronx. He is also founder of Change Health Care Services, also located in the Bronx, and he is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at New York Medical College.

Disagreeing with the central idea will be Dr. William N. Tindall, PhD, Executive Director of the American College of Managed Care Medicine in Glen Allen, West Virginia. He previously was the first Executive Director of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy in Washington, D.C., and has served Creighton University College of Pharmacy for 10 years as a faculty member, Department Chairman and Associate Dean.

Moderating the debate will be Joshua Lipman, MD, the Westchester County Commissioner of Health. Lipman's prior experience includes serving as medical director and administrator for the system of public health clinics in Houston, Texas, and directing the Alexandria, Virginia, Department of Health for seven and a half years. Lipman is also a former Executive Director of the Gay Men's Health Crisis Center in Manhattan.

A wide range of issues will be discussed including patients' rights, managed care, clinical practice guidelines, Internet-based health care problems and medical coverage for the estimated 43 million residents of the United States without insurance. The format will feature opening remarks by the two advocates (10 minutes each), five questions from the moderator and five questions from selected audience members (two minutes for each advocate to respond to each question) and final speeches of five minutes each.

While the debate is free and open to the public, pre-registration for the event is requested. Those wishing to attend may call (914) 633-2053 or send an e-mail to tfrobish@iona.edu. Free on-campus parking and refreshments will be available.

Founded in 1940 by the Congregation of Christian Brothers, Iona College is a private, co-educational institution of learning in the tradition of American Catholic higher education. Iona offers undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science, and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous post-graduate certificate programs.

For questions or more information please contact:
Meghan Finn
Public Relations Office
Iona College, 715 North Avenue, New Rochelle, N.Y. 10801
tel: 914 633-2005 fax: 914 637-2711

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