What I Have Experienced Lately

Last night, I attended the Richmond, Virginia Town Hall Meeting on Health Care Reform hosted by our 3rd District Representative, Robert C. “Bobby” Scott.

I decided to attend, keep my mouth shut, and merely observe, listen, and orient myself on an issue that has divided our country. Over the past several weeks, I have seen posts, messages, and notes by friends on Facebook, watched the news coverage from several sources to include CNN, MSNBC, Fox, CBS, and ABC, and discussed the issue with my family and friends face-to-face. My goal is to gather information from a variety of sources and review all options before making a decision and acting upon it.

The meeting was set to start at 7:00 p.m. I arrived at 6:45 p.m., went through the security check, signed in, and just as I was about to enter House Room D, an officer put up his hand to stop like they do when directing street traffic, and said the room was at full capacity, so I’d have to wait until people came out before being allowed to enter. Certainly acceptable to me as I did not want to violate any fire regulation codes that may put people’s lives in jeopardy should there be an emergency of some sorts.

As I stood there waiting for my turn, several others were pouring into this waiting area and within a few minutes, approximately 50 people were behind me and more were coming in only to discover their need to form a line and wait like the rest of us. Pretty soon, the line began to resemble those waiting their turn for a roller coaster ride.

At 6:55, we were cleared to go in with the understanding that we needed to enter and go to the left because it was standing room only. Standing didn’t bother me, I was just happy to get in to listen and observe.

I made my way to a standing spot against the back wall of the room and immediately saw a room packed with people. My guess is 400 + people were there.

Before the meeting started, several people were milling and mingling through the crowds and creating flurries of discussion about the bill, H.R. 3200. Here’s a link to the bill. Who has read it? http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_111/20090714/aahca.pdf

Some people had handouts to convey their points, others mumbled and fumbled their words and thoughts about abortion, transgender operations, states’ rights, and constitutional versus unconstitutional.

There was a man to my left and he continuously mumbled words trying to invoke fear among those around him. I had a notebook, and was writing down things I was observing, and one of the things I wrote and intended for him to see was “This dude next to me needs to STFU!”

I also felt that this man was sent there by people, who want just to do that in these types of forums, which I believe is not the way to go. But that type of behavior was prevalent throughout the meeting. Some people in the audience could not keep their mouths shut while others had the floor to speak. I guess none of them are familiar with “Robert’s Rules of Order”. www.robertsrules.com/

There was disrespect and neglect to allow the elected officials and others at the head table to say anything without some brief interruptive outburst like “Maybe you should get out then!” which was directed to Rep. Scott while he was trying to review the components of H.R. 3200.

After Rep. Scott’s presentation, a couple others sitting at the head table were given time to convey their thoughts and stories about Health Care Reform.

One woman was a doctor who had been practicing for 29 years as a small business owner. She has experienced the challenges with the current health care system as a doctor as well as a small business owner dealing with rising costs to provide her employees with affordable health care coverage.

The other was a woman who had worked as a CNA and MedTech, but now was providing Home Care Services making a whopping $8 per hour. This woman also had to get an operation which cost her more than $120,000, which she acknowledged she can’t repay even though she wants to, but can only do what many others face and must do when medical expenses are so more than their hourly wages or annual salary – declare bankruptcy.

After each woman finished what they had to say, some in the audience clapped while others did the hiss and boo. My “bud” next to me continuously mumbled away, as they spoke, saying things to the affect of “that’s your problem, not mine”, “states’ rights”, “reform is unconstitutional”, “I think I hear a violin playing”. By now, I believe totally in my initial thoughts of his presence at this meeting as one to instigate and instill anger and fear. I did take a moment to turn to my left and give him a look of disgust with his tactics. But that’s all I did. I kept my cool, took the high road, and refrained from getting into it with him. Diplomacy was in me.

The floor was then open for questions and comments from the audience. People who wanted to have the opportunity to address the meeting were given blue tickets, and the numbers were called at random by Rep. Scott. Even the way this process was handled disturbed and disgruntled some in the audience.

Initially, few questions were asked. Most were comments or declarations in support of or against H.R. 3200. And the comments ranged from bringing up IMAC and the death panel to others sharing their horror stories with the current health care system.

Overall, my experience at this meeting was worthwhile. I did get to hear thoughts, ideas and comments from a variety of sides and angles.

So, what do I think about it all now?

I think I need to read H.R. 3200 to its entirety. I have downloaded the bill to my desktop and intend over the next several days to review and read all 1,017 pages, start to finish. I’m also going to continue observing and orienting myself before making any decision or taking action.

However, I do believe our country needs to be more open-minded, collaborative and respectful to one another regarding this issue and many others.

And I do believe, we can come together to create a plan that will lower the costs, provide more choices, and allow quality health care that’s affordable and accessible to all.

But, we need to have healthier conversations.

“Information is the currency of democracy.” - Thomas Jefferson