Dr. Howard Dean, the former Vermont governor and immediate past chair of the Democratic National Committee, will be in Des Moines Thursday to discuss the importance of a public option being included in any potential health care legislation passed by Congress this year.

Dean, who placed third in the 2004 Iowa Caucuses, will be at the First Unitarian Church, 1800 Bell Ave., Des Moines, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The visit is one of only three health care forums for Dean, each of which is sponsored by his organization, Democracy for America. The event is free and open to the public.

Later that evening, Dean will attend a reception honoring Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal and House Speaker Pat Murphy hosted by the gay rights group One Iowa. Tickets cost from $35 for students up to $2,500 for top-tier donors.