CHARLOTTESVILLE -- More than 1,300 residents packed Charlottesville High School's auditorium last night to deliver their views on health-care reform to U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello.
Unlike similar town-hall meetings held by other Democratic lawmakers, Perriello's forum was not disrupted by opponents of the health-care proposals under consideration by Congress.
If anything, the crowd at Perriello's town hall mostly was in favor of a health-insurance overhaul.
Many asked the congressman to support the "public option" that would allow the federal government to provide health-insurance coverage.
"Will you support a public option?" asked Bob McAdams, who was laid off from his software consulting job in December and has struggled to get his health-insurance company to cover his medical costs. "I would do it in a heartbeat. Get the insurance company off my back."
As McAdams told his story, an opponent in the back shouted: "Get a job!"
Still, the discussion largely was civil.
Proponents said a public option would drive down health-premium costs and increase the quality of coverage as private companies encounter competition.
Opponents said they worry a public option would put private insurance companies out of business, increase federal spending and move the country toward socialism.
Mike Teu of Keswick said he is skeptical of what he calls "Obamacare" because he is concerned about government spending and the growing federal deficit.
"Whether you think [health-care overhaul] is right or wrong, we can't afford it," Teu said.
Teu added that Perriello's town hall Monday in Ruckersville was attended by a crowd that largely opposed the idea of health-care overhaul.
Last night, Olivia Johnston, a musician from Charlottesville, challenged opponents of health-care overhaul to cancel their coverage and see what it is like to be uninsured. "I've lived with health insurance and without health insurance," Johnston said. "Believe me, living with health insurance is a lot better."
Perriello said he expects to support an overhaul bill if it increases competition in the health-insurance industry and drives down premium costs for middle-class families.
Perriello said he welcomes both sides at his meetings, dubbed "Tom in Your Town" events. The events originally were meant to be an opportunity to meet one-on-one with the freshman congressman but turned into town-hall meetings after constituents asked for open forums.
Many who turned out wore blue armbands to show their support for health-care change.
"The U.S. is the last industrialized country to not take care of its citizens in that way," said Charles Lewis of Esmont, who wore a blue armband. "We need a system that's going to cover you. If the private companies won't cover you, somebody needs to do it."
Brian McNeill is a reporter for The Daily Progress in Charlottesville.
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