Jason Gregory Challenges Heartland Health CEO to Healthcare Cost Debate

Oct. 20, 2010 - PRLog -- After two weeks of Internet attacks from Heartland Health, Jason Gregory, Republican candidate for Missouri’s 27th district house race, is challenging Mark Laney, Heartland Health CEO, to a public debate and discussion on why St. Joseph has the highest healthcare cost in Missouri. Mr. Gregory’s campaign is laser-focused on his plan for creating quality, family-wage jobs for St. Joseph and has been educating voters that new companies cannot afford to bring jobs to town because of our high cost of healthcare.

“I’m confident that Mr. Laney can handle me in a debate, the only thing he has to fear is the public finding out the truth” said Gregory. “We deserve better than Mr. Laney hiding behind his Facebook webmaster attacking me.”

Mr. Gregory is referring to at least one employee of Heartland Health that has been using Facebook to try refute the data supplied by the Missouri Department of Economic Development website. Heartland has taken it upon themselves to discredit a healthcare cost index that has been proven very reliable for over 60 years. The data clearly shows that St. Joseph had the highest cost of healthcare in 2008 and 2009.

As far as where and when the debate would occur and who would moderate it, Mr. Gregory is challenging Mr. Laney to have it prior to the November 2nd election. “The voters need to know the truth before they cast their vote for another politician bought and paid for by Heartland, “ states Mr. Gregory.

The Missouri Ethics Commission shows that past and current Heartland executives including former CEO Lowell Kruse and Vice President of Support Service (and former Mayor) David Jones are among the largest contributors to Pat Conway’s campaign. Pat Conway is Mr. Gregory’s Democratic opponent in the November 2nd election.

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Gregory for State Representative is a Missouri political candidate committee to elect Jason Gregory to the Missouri House of Representatives for the 27th district. Jason is focused on creating quality, family-wage jobs for St. Joseph.