1,800 at Warner town hall divided on health care

FREDERICKSBURG

Before the start of a town-hall meeting on health care Thursday night, U.S. Sen. Mark Warner said he hoped everyone "can take a deep breath, calm down a little bit."

But almost from the start of the 90-minute session in the Fredericksburg Expo Center, many of the 1,800 in attendance roared their approval or disapproval with almost every comment by the Democratic senator or those asking him questions.

The large array of signs, both preprinted and homemade, seemed to indicate that the crowd was divided fairly evenly between those who

support health care reform efforts in Congress and those who oppose them. Mixed in were smatterings of activists pushing gun rights or greener energy.

But the loudest voices during the evening came from those upset with the federal government.

Speakers, their voices echoing across the concrete floor, expressed strong concerns about government control of health care, the high cost of medicine and the patriotism of President Barack Obama.

Warner began the forum by reminding his audience that regardless of how they felt about the health care proposals being debated, there are certain indisputable facts. Among them, he said, is that if Congress does nothing about health care costs, all Americans will pay dramatically more in the near future and the federal deficit will "explode" because of the rising cost of Medicare and Medicaid.

The senator restated his objection to setting up a government health care plan to compete with private insurers. He stressed, however, that for health care costs to come down, there has to be considerably more competition.

But many in the crowd objected to his stances on some issues.

When the father of three children asked him how he would pay for health care reforms, Warner said one way to raise money would be to tax some of the "Cadillac" health plans that pay for elective procedures such as "tummy tucks."

The crowd booed.

Then he suggested that millions who are uninsured but can afford a health policy should be required to buy health insurance.

They booed again.

But later, when he said he would not vote for a House bill, HR3200, that would establish a government insurance plan and levy new taxes to help pay for medical coverage for those who can't afford it, the crowd cheered. The bill is one of several proposals that Congress is expected to consider when it convenes again Tuesday after a monthlong recess.

Warner, unfazed by most of the crowd's responses, was disturbed by some speakers who drew loud applause from people when they questioned Obama's background.

A woman from Stafford who did not want to give her name told Warner that she has lived through 11 presidents and "for the first time I don't believe the president we have now is a patriot.... It's less about health care than the agenda."

Warner said he respected her right to free speech, but he strongly objected to her suggestion. "I find it offensive," he said. "I, 1,000 percent, categorically disagree with you. I think President Obama is a great patriot."

Some in the crowd booed; others cheered.

Warner said that for him to support any health care plan, it must abide by three principles: It cannot increase the federal deficit; health care costs must come down for all Americans; and the financial incentives for doctors and medical care must change.

Warner said the country has to abandon the system that pays fees solely based on services and leads to unnecessary, costly treatments and procedures.

Pat Gammon of Henrico County, who slowly hobbled up to the microphone using a cane for support, told Warner that she worked for 25 years and raised a family. Now she's 65 and on disability, but she doesn't have enough money to buy insurance to supplement her Medicare coverage.

"I'm confused about the fact that a lot of people that are against health care, they don't understand what it's like not having health care," she said.

A young man asked Warner whether he would support a law excluding abortion from any government health care program.

The senator said he supports federal law that already prohibits federal funding of abortion. The senator also reminded the audience that he personally believes that "abortion should be made safe, legal and rare."

Ken Morgenthal wanted to know what can be done about insurance companies that are more concerned about their executives' salaries than they are with keeping costs low.

Warner responded - and repeated the comment several times - that he believes competition in the marketplace will bring down prices. In the past, he's expressed interest in forming health care cooperatives to allow people to pool their resources to buy insurance.

"In a lot of communities, there is no real competition. I'm a free market guy. I want competition."

He acknowledged that the political divide between Democrats and Republicans in Washington is hurting the efforts to find a way to deal with the health care issue.

"If ever there was a time we ought to shed our 'Ds' and 'Rs' at the door, it's right now," he said.

As the forum drew to a close, Warner thanked the crowd for coming but also indicated that the issue is far from settled.

"I think this audience is divided, and I think America is divided," he said.

Bill Bartel, (757) 446-2398, bill.bartel@pilotonline.com