Residents of Dallas County with questions about the Affordable Care Act can get many of the answers they seek during an upcoming public forum.

A health care town hall meeting is scheduled to be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at the Larry D. Striplin Performing Arts Center, located at 1000 Selma Ave. in Selma. A meet and greet will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a panel forum to follow at 6 p.m.

The event is hosted and organized by Enroll Alabama and State Representative Dario Melton.

“This is basically a chance for people to have their questions answered and for the Affordable Care Act to be better explained,” Melton said.

“We are trying to make sure that our constituents know they now have better access to health care coverage.”

Melton said he had heard a large number of questions and concerns from his constituents about the Affordable Care Act and he said an issue this important needs to be thoroughly understood by those who stand to benefit the most from it’s enactment.

“This is something I thought we really needed to do, because health care is such a big issue and here in the Black Belt we have so many people who are currently not insured,” Melton said.

Melton said political arguments surrounding the Affordable Care Act have confused the American public about the specific benefits of the Act, something he hopes the panel discussion can clear up.

“There are a lot of rumors and political talk surrounding this issue and I think an event like this, with speakers who work directly with the Affordable Care Act, will be more effective than just spreading those rumors.

This is a free event, and we want as many people to come out as possible.

Melton said that anyone who wanted more information about the program is invited to call his office at (334) 242-7600.