What an honor it was to welcome Arizona Sen. John McCain to Gilbert at a dinner hosted by the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Mercy Gilbert Medical Center on September 18th at Trilogy at Power Ranch.
 
Senator McCain spoke to the more than 230 attendees about issues concerning the healthcare debate saying, "The fundamental problem with healthcare in America is not quality of care. The problem with healthcare in America is inflation."
 
According to McCain, reforms are needed to lower the cost of malpractice insurance and an emphasis should be placed on fitness and wellness.
 
McCain praised Mercy Gilbert Medical Center for the stem cell research being conducted.
 
"What is being done at Mercy Gilbert is hard to believe when you look at the results of adult stem cells being injected into the heart," he said.
 
Also discussed was the economy's effect on small businesses. McCain cited instances in which he was told of small businesses losing their lines of credit despite on-time payments. He said he opposes tax hikes and supports loans for small businesses.
 
"I believe the economy is slowly recovering but what bothers me and worries me is that it hasn't hit Main Street yet," McCain said.
 
Gilbert Mayor John Lewis recognized the event as a celebration of Constitution Week. McCain thanked attendees for honoring the Constitution, calling it "the most vital living document in the history of the world."