Rep. Brad Miller took questions from Rex Hospital employees about health care reform Tuesday morning.

The event was closed to the public. Dome knows that for sure because hospital staff turned Dome away this morning.

The hospital had invited Miller to talk to employees, who had asked a lot of questions in previous employee sessions about health care reform, said Melody Hunter-Pillion, a hospital spokeswoman.

About 65 employees attended the question-and-answer session, and Hunter-Pillion said questions covered a broad range of opinions. Sounds like a pretty interesting event to Dome.

Hunter-Pillion said the hospital decided to keep reporters away to encourage a frank exchange.

"We decided we didn't want media attention because we felt it was more of an educational session for the benefit of our co-workers and we felt our co-workers would feel more comfortable asking questions without reporters there," she said.

U.S. Rep. Brad Miller will answer questions on health care before a group of Rex Hospital employees before he heads back to Washington after the August recess.

The session, set for Sept. 8, is open to Rex employees, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

Miller, a Raleigh Democrat, has come under some criticism for not holding a town hall meeting, although he has appeared on a television call-in show and met privately with a group of critics of the health care proposals now before Congress.

Former State Rep. Robert "Bob" Hensley, Jr. died this morning at Rex Hospital from complications of leukemia. He was 62.

Hensley represented Wake County in the House from 1990 to 2002, according to a news release announcing his death.

"Bob Hensley was a spirited and dedicated public servant who fought for what he thought was right and always cared about the average citizen," said State Rep. Deborah Ross, who now holds Hensley's seat.

He was among a handful of dissident Democrats during the early 2000s who didn't hesitate to buck the will of then-Speaker Jim Black.

Hensley was born in 1947 in Wilmington.

He graduated with a BA in history from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and received his law degree from North Carolina Central University Law School.

"Bob was a progressive voice for Wake County and for the people of NC. During his time in the NC House, he represented the people with courage, enthusiasm, wisdom and wit. We will miss him," said Jennifer Weiss, a Raleigh Democrat. 

Hensley was most recently in the news for representing lobbyist Don Beason who was charged in a road rage incident. 

Hensley is survived by his wife, Pat Granger Hensley and sons Preston, Chris and Robert Hensley, III.

"I want to thank our many friends and neighbors for their kindness and care during Bob’s illness. We hope that everyone will keep us in their prayers during this difficult time," said Pat Hensley.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Former Insurance Commissioner Jim Long remains in a coma after having suffered a hemorrhagic stroke last Wednesday.

"Jim has suffered a very serious stroke," said Peg O'Connell, Long's wife, in a statement released by Rex Hospital on Monday. "He is still in a coma, but we are hopeful that he will regain consciousness soon. The physicians and staff at Rex are giving him the best care possible."

"Our family has been very touched by the outpouring of love and support for Jim," said O'Connell. "We hope that everyone will continue to keep us in their thoughts and prayers."

Former Insurance Commissioner Jim Long remained in the intensive care unit at Rex Hospital Friday after suffering "a serious stroke" on Wedesday, according to a statement by Rex Hospital.

"We are tremendously moved by the support our family feels from so many," said Peg O'Connell, Long's wife. "We thank everyone for respecting our privacy. As things progress we will keep everyone informed."

Long, who retired from office earlier this month, collapsed in the Legislative Building on Wednesday, Rob Christensen reports.