On Health-Care Reform, Fears And Questions

Town Hall Attendees Probe Costs, Coverage

About 1,500 people attended a town hall meeting on health-care reform Tuesday with U.S. Rep. Steny H. Hoyer, bringing the national debate on the issue to Southern Maryland.

Those at the forum, held at North Point High School in Waldorf, expressed varied opinions about what should be done to the nation's health-care system in interviews after the event.

Hoyer (D-Md.) tried to answer questions about the multiyear, $1 trillion plan and whether he would sign up for a government-backed package. He was cheered and jeered throughout the program.

Carolyn McKinney, 69, of White Plains said in an interview that it took too long for the question-and-answer session to begin -- nearly an hour after the program started. Then, because of the raucous crowd, she said, she could barely hear.

McKinney is a three-time cancer survivor and is on her husband's insurance plan. Her question: "Say I wanted to change my insurance to get one of their plans. Would it be more costly? Would it be better, or would we have to stick to what we have?"

She also said: "I do say we are in need of a health-care plan in the United States, especially [for] the ones that don't have it," she said. "I'm not sure having it run by the government is the way to do it."

Larry Taylor, 55, a small-business owner who lives in Leonardtown, agreed with McKinney.

"Our [federal] government was founded to oversee, not to run things. That is what the states are supposed to do," Taylor said. "By running all of these programs, they are usurping the power of the states," he said, citing the car and banking industries as examples of government-run industries.

Taylor and his wife are insured, but they have a $10,000 deductible. He said he wants tort reform to be in the final health-care bill, along with the ability to buy insurance across state lines.

"I think [reform] needs to be done properly. Otherwise, we'll be in a world of hurt," Taylor said. "The economy is already in a world of hurt."

The ailing economy is why Kenny Yates of Edgewater said he does not support a government-run, or public, option.

"They are going to give you this and give you that, and no one is going to pay for anything? It is not economically sound," said Yates, 68, a self-employed home builder and developer. "[Hoyer] said, 'Yeah, well, it is going to be paid for,' " said Yates, paraphrasing the House majority leader's comments Tuesday. "Well, that doesn't answer my question. The only way they can do it is to raise taxes."