PBS special report on health care reform

With President Obama scheduled to give a major address on healthcare to a joint session of Congress this Wednesday, the hallmark PBS programs NOW ON PBS, TAVIS SMILEY and NIGHTLY BUSINESS REPORT are collaborating to provide a timely and much-needed in-depth look at health care reform in America and the latest government proposals to address the issue. The 90-minute special, called PBS SPECIAL REPORT ON HEALTH CARE REFORM, will air Thursday, September 24, 2009, 9:00-10:30 p.m. ET on PBS.

Information and a special video preview of the show can be found at www.pbs.org/now/healthcarespecial.

The program will include late-breaking news and analysis on the health care debate and also feature cultural, political and economic insight from each program:

NOW ON PBS will examine how reform may change the way we live, especially for boomers who have their own coverage, but are also responsible for aging parents and grown children.

"While the health care debate has been keeping pundits busy, little attention has been devoted to in-depth analysis of the health care reforms and their specific impact on Americans and the American lifestyle," said Jon Siceloff, executive producer of NOW ON PBS. "Such a contentious and vital issue deserves the combined attention of several hallmark PBS programs, working together to provide unparalleled information and insight."

NIGHTLY BUSINESS REPORT will investigate the costs and controversies of employer-provided health care and new coverage requirements many companies are adopting as a means of controlling health care.

NIGHTLY BUSINESS REPORT anchor Susie Gharib said, "Most Americans rely on their employers to pay a large part of their health care expenses. The worry now is whether health care reform will change that. This is a serious financial and emotional issue for everyone."

TAVIS SMILEY will focus on the childhood obesity epidemic, particularly within communities of color. Smiley will examine the causes and effects of childhood obesity and explore ways to address this health care crisis.

"I will be talking to experts to find out what is causing this epidemic and what steps parents, kids and communities can take to get our young people healthy," says host Tavis Smiley.

http://www.pbs.org/now/