Recess Roastings: Another Dem Skewered at Town Hall Over Healthcare Takeover

Another Dem Skewered at Town Hall Over Healthcare Takeover

Voters Urge Dem Rep Driehaus to “Tell the Truth!” About Government-Run Plan

Amid Rising Public Outrage, Desperate Dems Race to Salvage Healthcare Takeover Plans, Foresee More Public Anger

“Congressional Democrats, already behind in their bid to revamp the U.S. health-care system, will spend an August break trying to resolve discord within their party, fending off Republican attacks and taking on insurers.” (“Lawmakers Move to Sell Health-Care Plan to Voters,” Bloomberg, August 4, 2009)

“Specter, who was booed in Philadelphia over the weekend, told The Associated Press that it’s “highly likely” other senators will soon meet the same fate.” (“Democrats’ break looking like a bad trip,” Politico, August 4, 2009)

Recess Roasting: “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 the 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.” (“Health-care forum draws big crowd,” Cincinnati Enquirer, August 4, 2009)

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