On November 29, 2007, AMHCA was represented by Dr. Paul Carlson, a long-time member, at the Columbia, South Carolina presidential candidate Town Hall Meeting. The event was planned and funded by the National Health Council (NHC). AMHCA is an organizational member of NHC.
Staff from the political campaigns of John Edwards, Mitt Romney, Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Barack Obama and Rudy Giuliani attended the event. The Town Hall Meeting was covered by print and electronic media including television affiliates for ABC, NBC and FOX. AMHCA President Dr. Gary Gintner has sent personal letters and mental health proclamations to all presidential candidates.
The Town Hall Meeting included nearly 70 patients and patient group representatives. Attendees discussed the importance of South Carolina in the presidential nominating process and how advocates can educate the presidential candidates about important health issues.