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Sunday, August 23, 2009
Heinrich Event Draws Overflow Crowd in Albuquerque
By Sean Olson And Lloyd Jojola
Journal Staff Writers
Opposing sides of the health care debate were out in force for Rep. Martin Heinrich's town hall meeting Saturday in Albuquerque, where answers from Heinrich and a panel of experts sparked thunderous applause and shouts of derision — usually at the same time.
About 600 people filled the auditorium of the University of New Mexico Continuing Education Building to capacity while another 300 watched closed-circuit TV in an adjoining room and a crowd at least as large waited outside.
Access to the meeting was first-come, first-served and airport-like security was conspicuous. All who entered the auditorium had to go through metal detectors. Tension has been high at health-care forums around the country during the congressional recess and Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., faced a noisy crowd in Clovis on Tuesday.
Audience members for the Heinrich town hall were chosen randomly to ask questions of Heinrich and the panel made up two doctors and a critic of Democratic health care proposals. About two thirds of the crowd that got into the auditorium appeared to generally support health care plans promoted by President Barack Obama and the Democratic-led U.S. House while the rest seemed critical.
The cost of providing insurance coverage to all Americans, government controls on the health care system and the possibility of a so-called public option, or government-run insurance program, dominated the 90-minute question-and-answer session. There was little, if any, new information on the debates Congress will resume next month.
Heinrich, a first-term Democrat representing the Albuquerque-based 1st Congressional District, remained steadfast in his support of a public option, which he said would bring competition to insurance companies and drive down the cost of health care coverage. He also stressed that a public option would not prevent people from choosing or keeping private health care plans.
"We need guaranteed choice, which means if you have Blue Cross-Blue Shield, you should be able to keep it," Heinrich said. "If you like your doctor, you should be able to keep them and if you want a public option, you should have that, too."
People started showing up for the 3 p.m. event as early as 7 a.m. and a line began forming outside the UNM building by about 9:30 a.m.
Some of those who didn't get in, or wanted to stay outside, waved signs at passing cars, sang pro-health care overhaul songs, shouted, "Go communism!" and argued with each other.
Some people seemed inconvenienced or annoyed by the security. But Gayle Prinkey of Albuquerque said: "There's some pretty riled up individuals here today."
Others were upset about the long line to get in and the number of people turned away.
"This is ridiculous. The venue is so small, they know this is an extremely polarizing issue, and they could have gotten a bigger venue," said Merilyn Wafer of Albuquerque.
Panelists joining Heinrich included two doctors, Michael Richards, chairman of the emergency medicine department of the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, and John R. Vigil, CEO of Doctor On Call Urgent Care Clinics, and Paul Gessing, president of the conservative government watchdog group, Rio Grande Foundation.
Heinrich spoke on every question asked by the audience and panel members were invited to respond to whatever questions they chose. Gessing, who argues for insurance companies to only cover major medical emergencies, often provided a dissenting view from Heinrich.
"Day-to-day care should be taken from your own money and funded that way," Gessing said, adding that the same model is used in car insurance and makes pricing and costs more competitive.
Several members of the audience asked about costs and how they would affect a rapidly growing federal deficit, now projected to reach $9 trillion over the next decade.
Heinrich said much of the more than $1 trillion in estimated costs would be funded through provisions in various bills that would tax certain employers who do not provide health insurance to employees. Other costs would be paid for by eliminating "waste, fraud and abuse," he said. The congressman said he would remain open to other ideas on paying for health care changes.
Concerns from critics in the audience included comments that government would be "socializing" health care and violating the constitution.
Heinrich said real socialization would put all health care coverage under one government operation that everyone would be forced to use. He stressed that the bill he would support would ensure people have more choices in their health care options, not fewer.
Some in the audience were adamant about a public option for health care, including a "single-payer" system of government-operated health care.
Heinrich said that could take away options from the general public and would be a tough sell, but continued to stress his support for some kind of public-option coverage as an alternative to private insurance.
Outside, people were letting their feelings be known.
"We're seeing the destruction of our Constitution," said Georganne Meyers, who was second in line. "We're watching an executive branch that's destroying this country, destroying the Constitution and the economy."
Lynn Wellman, an Albuquerque federal worker, supports a health care overhaul.
"Given the economic situation and all that's going on, I think health issues are primary as far as the future goes," Wellman said. "In watching the news, there's been a lot of what I feel are inaccurate statements ... I'd like to see a little bit more honest discussion of the issues, instead of what may be more partisan-driven talk."
Heinrich wrapped up the event by thanking people for their comments as dissenters yelled, "Listen."
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