Health-care forum draws big crowd

Hundreds of supporters and critics of a proposed health-care reform plan swarmed an Avondale church Monday evening, nearly drowning out a discussion of the issue led by U.S. Rep. Steve Driehaus.

Driehaus, the Democrat from West Price Hill, was heckled on several occasions by those opposed to the reform plans proposed by Democrats and President Barack Obama. Organizers at one point refused to let more people into First Unitarian Church on Linton Street for the forum organized by the Women’s City Club of Greater Cincinnati.

They eventually moved the event to a bigger room and opened an overflow area with a “one out, one in” policy to manage thr crowd.

One member of the Woman’s City Club said she had been fielding calls all week about the event but still didn’t expect such a large turnout.

That still left several dozen people outside and short tempers inside.

“Tell the truth!” one onlooker shouted as Driehaus explained the various bills before Congress. “Oh, give me a break!” another one shouted.

“I know some people would like a single-payer system and some would like no change at all,” Driehaus said. “I get that.”

Driehaus said he was glad that the House adjourned this week without passing a bill, but said Congress would take up reform again upon returning to Washington this fall.

“We have the most expensive health-care system in the world,” he said. “We’ve got the best medical system in the world, if you can afford to pay for it.”

Democrats are proposing requiring all Americans to have insurance and requiring insurers to accept anyone who applies. They also are proposing a “public option,” a government-run plan that would compete with private insurance plans.

Republicans say the plan is too expensive and would hurt small companies by requiring them to offer health benefits to employees.

Outside, Sue Hardenbergh of Anderson Township held a sign opposing nationalized health care, a result she believes would be inevitable under the Democratic proposals.

She said she did not believe Obama when he says people will be able to keep their same doctor and same private insurance plan.

“I am in favor of reform. I am in favor of fiscal responsibility,” she said. “I think the bill as presented is going to eliminate a competitive market and the private insurance industry.”
Click here to read the full story.