EVERETT — By the looks of things, a town hall meeting Wednesday night wasn’t going to sway many opinions about health care proposals working their way through Congress.
It did, however, give people a chance to pledge their support or level their objections to Democratic Rep. Rick Larsen.
About 2,400 people crowded into the ballpark at Everett Memorial Stadium for the forum, which was similar to town halls that have attracted large and often boisterous crowds across the country. Police officers were on hand, but no problems were reported.
John Huson, an Arlington-area resident, drew robust applause from opponents of health care legislation when he read from a Wall Street Journal column that included the Margaret Thatcher quote: “The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people’s money.”
Government-run health care concerns him, Huson said, but he is willing to listen to the proposals now before Congress and from leaders in the private sector.
On the flip side, Stella Zuller of Bellingham told Larsen she supports reform efforts because health care “should not be for profit when people’s lives are at stake.”
Larsen heard from people who said they fear health care insurance coverage, as it is, discriminates based on age, gender and existing conditions. They worried about the millions of Americans without health insurance.
Others told the congressman they don’t want government-funded health care, pointing to inevitable cost, bureaucracy and inefficiency they expect with big government. Many said they worried they would lose good, solid health care coverage they now enjoy.
You can read more about the town hall meeting in The Herald at: http://tinyurl.com/mhoczw
