Himes holds town hall on health care

Greenwich (WTNH) - Congressman Jim Himes (D-4th district) held a town hall meeting in Greenwich, Monday night, on the contentious topic of health care reform.

Across the country, representatives have encountered confrontational crowds who worry that health care reform would lead to so-called 'death panels', socialized medicine, and health care rationing.

In the beginning, the anger of some people showing up to Rep. Himes' Greenwich Town Hall health care discussion had nothing to do with the so called "public-option" but, instead, with the lack of options when it came to available seating. Many were shut out.

Rep. Himes opened with brief remarks and then answered questions. Opinions seemed to be split about Americans possibly having the choice when it comes to private vs. public health care.

Muro: "When I say 'public option,' what comes to mind?
Jacqueline Walsh: "Government control."

Muro: "I say 'public option,' you say what?'
Susan Nisinzweig: "[It's] a choice; something that can provide support for people who aren't getting the health care coverage other places."

Rep. Himes stressed all fiscal problems the country is facing can be tied to health care; that all options still surrounding this plan remain on the table; that the public option would create insurance competition.

"If you [hypothetically] own a company, and you pay $500,000 every year for health insurance, well you could pay zero and pawn all of your employees off on the government," Walsh said. "You just made $500,000 really quick."

"It's a hard task, they are working to make it right, they will make mistakes, there will be things that need to be tweaked," said Nisinzweig.

While there were strong opinions inside Town Hall, after the meeting, Himes was greeted with a more hostile crowd outside who couldn't get in. Answering questions for 15 more minutes, the Congressman understands there is a tough road ahead.

"The risk is not that there is a done deal, the risk is that -- the very real risk -- is that nothing gets done," said Rep. Himes.

Rep. Himes said the earliest he could see a vote on this issue is maybe in December.

The Congressman will do this two more times this week; he will be at Norwalk City High School, on Wednesday, at 6:30 p.m. and at Bridgeport City Hall, on Thursday, at 6:30 p.m.