District 17 Congressman Chet Edwards held the first of three in-person town hall meetings to discuss health care reform Wednesday night.
Click to hear the story from WTAW's Chris Clift:
The Brazos Center was packed beyond capacity, with about 100 people listening to the town hall meeting on radios in the parking lot of the Brazos Center.
Unlike the previous telephone town hall, the questions were a little tougher this time.
One early inquiry came from a man wanting to know where in the Constitution Congress was given the right to control health care.
Another young lady got behind the microphone to ask about what she said was her grandmother being sent home to die after a stroke in 2000 while covered by Medicare.
Some of the responses Edwards gave did not go over well, but in the end none of his positions have changed.
He still says he is undecided on the issue, but promises to read the whole bill before casting a vote.
Edwards also told the crowd he will not support any Canadian style single payer plan, and that Democratic party leaders will have no control over his vote.
The next Edwards town hall meeting is Saturday at the Convention Center in Waco.
If you would like to hear the Brazos County meeting the audio is available in six sections under the multimedia section of wtaw.com
Click below to watch interviews with audience members after the meeting:
Click to see photos from the Brazos Center for the town hall meeting on health care reform hosted by U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards (D-Waco)
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written by Bob , August 26, 2009
Hey Jon,
Fact check - they said that the place was packed to capacity and that 100 people were in the parking lot listening on the radio.
written by Bob , August 26, 2009
Hey Jon,
Fact check - they said that the place was packed to capacity and that 100 people were in the parking lot listening on the radio.
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written by Jon Howell , August 26, 2009
Congressional Research Service: Illegal Aliens Can Receive Benefits Under House Health Care Bill
Tuesday, the Congressional Research Service (CRS), the "research arm" for the United States Congress, issued a report validating an analysis by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), that illegal aliens would be able to receive benefits under the House health care reform bill, America's Affordable Health Care Act of 2009 (H.R. 3200).
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Congressman Edwards said repeatedly that Illegals Would not be covered. The Congressional Research Center says the opposite. Someone is not telling the truth.
written by Jon Howell , August 26, 2009
Congressional Research Service: Illegal Aliens Can Receive Benefits Under House Health Care Bill
Tuesday, the Congressional Research Service (CRS), the "research arm" for the United States Congress, issued a report validating an analysis by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), that illegal aliens would be able to receive benefits under the House health care reform bill, America's Affordable Health Care Act of 2009 (H.R. 3200).
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Congressman Edwards said repeatedly that Illegals Would not be covered. The Congressional Research Center says the opposite. Someone is not telling the truth.
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written by James (Jim) H. Taylor Jr. , August 26, 2009
There is a high contagious disease that circles around the demoncratic party. TDD, Truth Deficeit Disorder. It has even been known to efect rhinos.
written by James (Jim) H. Taylor Jr. , August 26, 2009
There is a high contagious disease that circles around the demoncratic party. TDD, Truth Deficeit Disorder. It has even been known to efect rhinos.
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written by Johnny E , August 27, 2009
Some of the questions didn't go over well because they were stupid. They were just trying to push all the buttons that you hear on demagogue radio that had nothing to do with what's in the proposed bill. The sign-carrying mob in the front middle were more rowdy than the other people but their support seemed to dwindle as Chet gave straight answers (for the most part) and the questioning got to some real problems.
Basically people who have ever had to deal with an insurance company knows the system is broke and needs fixing before we all go broke. There is no competition in the so-called "free-market". Your employer chooses who your insurance company is, they are organized in regional monopolies, they choose your preferred-provider doctors, they make the drug formulary lists, doctors' bills and charges make no sense and there's no way to compare them. Medicare has 3% overhead, insurance companies have 25-40% overhead. Personal insurance policies are unaffordable. Emergency rooms are not economical as primary care physicians. Small businesses are going broke because of healthcare inflation and catastrophic illnesses. Half of all bankruptcies are the result of unexpected medical bills even when people have insurance policies.
written by Johnny E , August 27, 2009
Some of the questions didn't go over well because they were stupid. They were just trying to push all the buttons that you hear on demagogue radio that had nothing to do with what's in the proposed bill. The sign-carrying mob in the front middle were more rowdy than the other people but their support seemed to dwindle as Chet gave straight answers (for the most part) and the questioning got to some real problems.
Basically people who have ever had to deal with an insurance company knows the system is broke and needs fixing before we all go broke. There is no competition in the so-called "free-market". Your employer chooses who your insurance company is, they are organized in regional monopolies, they choose your preferred-provider doctors, they make the drug formulary lists, doctors' bills and charges make no sense and there's no way to compare them. Medicare has 3% overhead, insurance companies have 25-40% overhead. Personal insurance policies are unaffordable. Emergency rooms are not economical as primary care physicians. Small businesses are going broke because of healthcare inflation and catastrophic illnesses. Half of all bankruptcies are the result of unexpected medical bills even when people have insurance policies.
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written by Johnny E , August 27, 2009
Health Care Fit for Animals
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/27/opinion/27kristof.html
written by Johnny E , August 27, 2009
Health Care Fit for Animals
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/27/opinion/27kristof.html
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written by Linda , August 27, 2009
Chet Edwards said he would not vote for a bill he has not read. But it has been reported that the Stimulus Bill was not read before he and the others voted for it. So was he the only one in Congress that read it, and if he did, why in the heck did he vote for it? I wish they would have called me. That is a question I thought needed to be addressed.
written by Linda , August 27, 2009
Chet Edwards said he would not vote for a bill he has not read. But it has been reported that the Stimulus Bill was not read before he and the others voted for it. So was he the only one in Congress that read it, and if he did, why in the heck did he vote for it? I wish they would have called me. That is a question I thought needed to be addressed.
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written by Johnny E , August 27, 2009
Some people were concerned that the bill was being rushed. Chet said he would make sure the bill was right and thoroughly considered before he would vote for it.
But the big question is, we had the same problems for the past 8 years and the Republicons ignored any reform efforts when they had control over all branches of government. All we got was the Medicare donut hole that was just a big giveaway to drug companies that seniors can't afford. That's the only reason that Medicare started having budget difficulties. And they took away the free market when they stopped seniors from buying drugs in Canada. Some "free-market".
We need to act fast because 18,000 people are dying needllessly every year because they don't have access to doctors. 14,000 people are losing insurance coverage every day because they got sick or lost a job. It's a "right-to-life" issue.
I just hope that in the spirit of bi-partisanship we don't end up designing a system that doesn't fix the worst problems and don't fund it properly so then the Republicons will come back and say it was the Democrats fault that it doesn't work.
As Reagan said, government is the problem. But it's only a problem when you try to sabotage it.
Having a healthcare system based on charity and bake sales just won't do the job, no matter how well-meaning the people are.
written by Johnny E , August 27, 2009
Some people were concerned that the bill was being rushed. Chet said he would make sure the bill was right and thoroughly considered before he would vote for it.
But the big question is, we had the same problems for the past 8 years and the Republicons ignored any reform efforts when they had control over all branches of government. All we got was the Medicare donut hole that was just a big giveaway to drug companies that seniors can't afford. That's the only reason that Medicare started having budget difficulties. And they took away the free market when they stopped seniors from buying drugs in Canada. Some "free-market".
We need to act fast because 18,000 people are dying needllessly every year because they don't have access to doctors. 14,000 people are losing insurance coverage every day because they got sick or lost a job. It's a "right-to-life" issue.
I just hope that in the spirit of bi-partisanship we don't end up designing a system that doesn't fix the worst problems and don't fund it properly so then the Republicons will come back and say it was the Democrats fault that it doesn't work.
As Reagan said, government is the problem. But it's only a problem when you try to sabotage it.
Having a healthcare system based on charity and bake sales just won't do the job, no matter how well-meaning the people are.
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written by Johnny E , August 27, 2009
What's Actually IN The Health Care Reform Bills, Without the BS
http://pleasecutthecrap.typepad.com/main/2009/08/whats-actually-in-the-health-care-reform-bills-part-one.html#more
written by Johnny E , August 27, 2009
What's Actually IN The Health Care Reform Bills, Without the BS
http://pleasecutthecrap.typepad.com/main/2009/08/whats-actually-in-the-health-care-reform-bills-part-one.html#more
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written by Matt , August 28, 2009
Healthcare, Taxes, Illegal Immigration... Good grief... If the founders of the USA were alive today.... Well they roll back over and die wondering why they did what they did for our country to look the way it does today. All this biockering over Democrats and Republicans. I'm neither, and not in the middle either. I am a conservative, and I still believe in things like No taxation without representation. And the representation we have today just doesn't cut it. Who represents us? Rich People! I have an idea, why don't we impeach everyone, yes everyone, and start fresh. No one with a salary higher than $100,000 a year gets to be President, Senator, Congressman and so on, at every level. Local, State, Federal. Then this shuld truely be a country lead "By the People for the People" Those that have all the money and can afford all the things that others scrape and fight to have everyday. I'm not done on rich people being rich. Some of them actually earned the money they have and should be proud of it. But come on people, useless screaming and yelling is getting us NO WHERE FAST! Good debating with cool, calm heads it what is needed, but those cool calm heads need to gather the info from their constituants and then with the majority make the decision for us. That's never going to happen unless we make some major changes in our Government. Our newest President is a great example of that. He wasn't elected because of his skills or knowledge. He was elected to make history. Plain and simple. I didn't want to vote for the other guy either, so I wrote in my choice. At least my voice was heard, and I didn't have to sacrifice who I am just because of the only two choices for canidate I had. Same with our Congress people and Senators. Don't pull a Bill Clinton/Barak Obama and say you are a Christian and then say you are for Abortion or anything else that Christianity disagrees with. If you do, you are not a Christian. And Christ should define the decisions made in Government. This is what the USA was founded upon. We are in debt, in a healthcare scare mode, economic turmoil and guess what? The rest of the world is watching how this young country is doing, and thinking to themselves, maybe we aren't such a great model to follow afterall. And if they are, that is sad, because we are a great country and we can be again. Don't be unheard! Speak out against those who aren't doing what you as a citizen of this great State and Country expect of them. It's about time we did!
written by Matt , August 28, 2009
Healthcare, Taxes, Illegal Immigration... Good grief... If the founders of the USA were alive today.... Well they roll back over and die wondering why they did what they did for our country to look the way it does today. All this biockering over Democrats and Republicans. I'm neither, and not in the middle either. I am a conservative, and I still believe in things like No taxation without representation. And the representation we have today just doesn't cut it. Who represents us? Rich People! I have an idea, why don't we impeach everyone, yes everyone, and start fresh. No one with a salary higher than $100,000 a year gets to be President, Senator, Congressman and so on, at every level. Local, State, Federal. Then this shuld truely be a country lead "By the People for the People" Those that have all the money and can afford all the things that others scrape and fight to have everyday. I'm not done on rich people being rich. Some of them actually earned the money they have and should be proud of it. But come on people, useless screaming and yelling is getting us NO WHERE FAST! Good debating with cool, calm heads it what is needed, but those cool calm heads need to gather the info from their constituants and then with the majority make the decision for us. That's never going to happen unless we make some major changes in our Government. Our newest President is a great example of that. He wasn't elected because of his skills or knowledge. He was elected to make history. Plain and simple. I didn't want to vote for the other guy either, so I wrote in my choice. At least my voice was heard, and I didn't have to sacrifice who I am just because of the only two choices for canidate I had. Same with our Congress people and Senators. Don't pull a Bill Clinton/Barak Obama and say you are a Christian and then say you are for Abortion or anything else that Christianity disagrees with. If you do, you are not a Christian. And Christ should define the decisions made in Government. This is what the USA was founded upon. We are in debt, in a healthcare scare mode, economic turmoil and guess what? The rest of the world is watching how this young country is doing, and thinking to themselves, maybe we aren't such a great model to follow afterall. And if they are, that is sad, because we are a great country and we can be again. Don't be unheard! Speak out against those who aren't doing what you as a citizen of this great State and Country expect of them. It's about time we did!
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