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New Web site lends a voice to the US health care debate
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With all of the debates centering around proposed health care reform, it’s hard for some people to determine what’s truth and what’s fiction — especially if they can’t read the bill.

With that in mind, a group of voice actors has made it easier for everyone to understand. Around 80 volunteers took turns reading portions of the document and they have posted it online. Gainesville resident Dave Frizzell was one of the voice actors who participated in the project.

"Health care reform is an issue that affects everyone, but it has been difficult for many people to ... learn directly what’s in the legislation," said Kathleen Keesling, who helped design the Web site. "Now there is a place where everyone can go to read and listen to the bill."

On the Web site, the 1,017-page health care reform resolution is broken down into 62 audio files.

"There are several different voice-over groups that I hang out with. One of the members told me about the project and I thought it was an awesome idea," said Frizzell.

The resolution, House Resolution 3200, was introduced in Congress in July.

According its authors, the purpose of the proposed legislation is to "provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes."

Since being introduced, the document has been at the center of many intense, town hall meetings.

According to the Web site’s designers, the bill is presented in its entirety and is indexed like an audio book. Narrators read the bill, word for word, line by line. According to the site, the information presented will be updated as Congress makes amendments.

"There are a lot of people in the community who can’t read for one reason or another," said Frizzell. "This is a way for them to understand exactly what’s in the bill and they can make an educated decision about it. This allows them to reach their own conclusions about it."