Langevin discusses health reforms at town hall
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Langevin Town Hall
U.S. Rep. James Langevin brings the health care debate to Rhode Island.
NBC 10/Bill Rappleye
Some Rhode Islanders arrive early for a health care reform town hall meeting at Warwick City Hall.
Published: August 20, 2009
Updated: August 20, 2009
WARWICK, R.I.—U.S. Rep. James Langevin kept calm Wednesday as he told a rowdy town hall meeting that planned health care reforms would not lead to a federal health insurance takeover and that he supports proposals to create a government-run insurance plan to compete with private plans.
Langevin told more than 400 people who packed Warwick City Hall that the so-called public option would not be mandatory, adding that it is intended to serve those who cannot afford coverage.
“This is not a big government takeover of insurance,“ Langevin told the meeting’s first questioner, to loud cheers and jeers.
Still, most of those attending the meeting wanted to know how the reforms would affect them.
Elizabeth Smith, 45, of East Greenwich, broke into tears as she contrasted the care she would receive under “rationed health care” with what she felt was exemplary treatment for her 101-year-old grandmother.
“As a pre-menopausal woman at risk of osteoporosis, will I be denied the hip replacement my late grandmother was able to receive?“ Smith said.
Attendees on both sides of the debate carried signs expressing their views, including those reading “Taxpayer revolt!“ and “Insure people, not profits” as well as “Standing together for health insurance reform.“
Democrats have struggled to get traction in the health care debate as Republican opponents have mounted a vocal campaign against plans they consider too costly and intrusive.
About 300 people who didn’t get into the venue crowded the sidewalk outside and engaged in an impromptu debate, The Providence Journal reported.
The Rev. Eugene T. Dyszlewski, pastor of Riverside Congregational Church in East Providence, couldn’t wait for health care reforms. He told the newspaper that “too many people in my congregation have lost their insurance and lost their homes. These are real people.“
A Bradley Hospital administrator, Dr. Marge Paccione, said “the quality of care in this country is not even in the top 25 countries in the world, and yet we pay the highest rates.“
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Reader Reactions
Noxidereus you are totally misinformed.
1st Just go to www.rasmussenreports.com it is spelled out right there, Support for “The public option” AKA “Co-ops” has plummeted. Those who oppose far out number those in favor.
2nd Our Govt. officials don’t have Medicare, they pick from a variety of plans offered by private insurers, paid for be the tax payer.
Don’t get me wrong, Health Insurance needs reforms. What we don’t need is the Govt. taking it over.
They can’t run
1) Cash for Clunkers program, Dealerships are having a tough time getting reimbursed.
2) Social Security is broke
3) Medicare is broke
4) Medicaid is broke
5) The Post Office is broke
6) Fannie and Freddie are broke
7) The DVM is closing offices in the State due to $$$
8) The Pork package stimulus that hasn’t done a darn thing “We misread the economy” Joe Biden Says.
Now they want to be in charge of our Healthcare. Come on, WAKE UP!
not to mention the public option is comparable to medicare. Seniors are happy with their government health insurance. So are our soldiers. I don’t hear any complaints from our government officials on their government health insurance either. None have to beg for coverage. Those with these plans have a higher degree of satisfaction when compared to customers of private insurance.
Private Insurers are the ones rationing care by denying coverage and not accepting customers with pre-existing conditions. Health care costs are the #1 reason for bankruptcy in this country, this includes people who ARE insured, not just ones without health insurance.
@ASK Y
I could not verify your numbers. The poll number I gave is apparently not wrong but it is outdated (mid-June NBC/Wall St Journal). Here is the latest from Rasmussen:
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 57% oppose the plan if it doesn’t include a government-run health insurance plan to compete with private insurers
Support for the public option is dropping because of all of the lies about how the bill will kill old people and the like.
We cannot leave health insurance reform to the market. Republicans have no intention whatsoever of passing any health insurance reform. They represent the health insurance industry rather than the American people.
Wow he finally comes out of his cave and will spend a hour conversing with the public.
How regal of him.
Obviously noxidereus, you are misinformed check Rasmussen 42% are in favor, while 58% oppose.
While the current bills are an utter disaster. They do absolutely nothing to improve Health or Care. If you switch jobs your on the Gov’t system, once your on you can’t get off. Market reform needs to happen.
Unfortunately the Dems are unwilling to compromise and do what’s right to make insurance affordable. They seek Govt. Control. When you have to beg for your meds, they can tax and dictate all aspects of your life
Stand strong against the belligerent health insurance lobbying group mobilized yelling idiots and remember they represent only a small fraction of the public. Don’t forget a full 76% of the American population supports health reform with the public option.
He’s obviously a glutton for punishment.
Acorn will be arriving by bus early to get the best seats. Too bad I have to work all day!
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