Local leaders talk healthcare in D.C.

WWLP TV

Updated: Jun 28, 2012 7:27 PM

WASHINGTON (WWLP) — Western Massachusetts business leaders got some one-on-one time with important lawmakers, the same day the Supreme Court came down with its decision on President Obama’s controversial health care law.

The group of dozens of local business leaders spoke with everyone from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-California) to Massachusetts Senators Scott Brown (R) and John Kerry (D).

The day started with an up-close-and-personal look at where lawmakers meet and how business is done, so they can appreciate another perspective.

The 42 members of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce came to Washington to get a sense of how things are done, and to build relationships to make doing business in Western Massachusetts more effective.

“A lot of my job is working with local government,” said Samuel Masinter of Smith College, “So this has helped a lot to see the reaction and how things happen on a national stage, and what has to happen to get things done.”

Referencing the day’s major health care ruling, Lynn Ostrowski of Health New England said, “Seeing things, how they operate on the federal level, is always eye-opening and it's always exciting to be here on Capitol Hill on the day of such a momentous decision.”

In their 5-4 ruling, Supreme Court justices upheld the heart of the President’s health care reform act, which is a sensitive issue for many business leaders.

The symposium that the business leaders attended was organized by Congressman Richard Neal (D-Springfield).

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