“Basically it’s to present the facts and what the implications of the proposed changes are for Mississippi,” said Grist, who is helping to organize the non-partisan event.

“Health care changes are looming large, and Mississippi is so very vulnerable,” said Mary Jane Meadows, one of the organizers. “We wanted to develop forums to answer our questions and those of the community.”

At Tuesday’s forum, a health policy briefing will be presented by Amanda Ptashkin, Southern project manager for Community Catalyst, a national nonprofit organization focused on helping consumers have a voice in influencing local, state and nation decisions that affect their health.

CATCH Kids executive director Valerie Long and Antone Tannehill Good Samaritan Free Clinic executive director Cindy Sparks will take part in a panel discussion about caring for the uninsured locally.

Ptashkin and Wiggins will be speaking at a series of forums planned across Mississippi by the health advocacy program and its local partners.

The Tuesday forum is one of a series the Mississippi Health Advocacy Center is hosting across Mississippi.