CAPE ELIZABETH — Due to a winter storm on Dec. 9, the high school Advanced Placement government class had to reschedule a panel discussion on health-care reform.

The public forum is now scheduled for Monday, Jan. 4, 2010, from 7-8:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium, 345 Ocean House Road.

Community members, parents and interested residents are encouraged to attend the event, and will have the opportunity to ask questions of the panelists during the discussion.

According to teacher Ted Jordan, the panel discussion will be similar to a Cleveland Forum, where attendees will receive an index card as they enter the auditorium. While listening to the speakers, audience members can write questions on the cards and submit them to students, who will collect the cards throughout the evening. The students will choose questions that are pertinent and relevant to the discussion.

The panelists are Andrea Maker, vice president of Martin’s Point Healthcare; Chris Dugan, director of corporate communications for Anthem Blue Cross-Blue Shield, and Professor Andy Coburn, director of the Institute for Health Policy at the University of Southern Maine’s Muskie School.

Jordan said these guests were invited to the event because of their direct experience with the health-care system. He said the health-care debate changes daily, so the topics discussed on Jan. 4 will include the most recent facts, opinions and information. He said the panelists will have a chance to give the audience their thoughts on what health care reform should be, and what they think of health care as it is proposed currently.

At 8:30 p.m. the event will move to the cafeteria, where the panelists, students and audience members can have more informal discussions over light refreshments.

The event will be recorded and broadcast later on the school’s Web site and on Cape Elizabeth’s public access Channel 3.

Amy Anderson can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 110 or aanderson@theforecaster.net