MACOMB, IL -- Nearly 200 people squeezed into a meeting room in Macomb's City Hall on August 19th to quiz Rep. Phil Hare (D-IL) about healthcare reform.
Hare said he's not afraid of taking a controversial stance on health care reform.
"Nobody owns me on this issue. The insurance companies are mad at me," he said.
The audience was polite and civil, and expressed gratitude that Hare was meeting with them, even though some of their questions and comments revealed their concerns and disagreements with reform. There were no large signs at the event, and no one brought guns.
After presenting problems with the current health care system, Hare said House Bill 3200, the 1,000-page bill he has worked on in committee, has several components:
1. Those now receiving health insurance can keep their policies if they choose to.
2. People can enter an exchange, consisting of different private insurance providers who agree not to rule out pre-existing conditions or cancel policies due to illness or claims.
3. People can sign up for the public option, which will be similar to a standard insurance plan, but will cost only 5 percent of a person's income. For example, someone who earns $50,000 a year would pay about $220 a month.
4. The Medicare doughnut hole on prescription drugs would be closed.
5. The plan will contain coverage for mental health issues.
6. It will provide for loan forgiveness for doctors and nurses who work in rural areas.
7. Coverage will be required of all, he said. Those who refuse to buy coverage will be required to pay for their health care in full.
8. People can form cooperatives to obtain care if they want to, an amendment Hare said he sponsored.
Illegal aliens will not be covered, and no federal funds will cover abortions, he also explained.
Still, audience members brought up these hot button issues in questions, but Hare deflected them.
In a diversion attempt, a member of the audience mentioned abortion and "killing babies" and urged Hare to vote against federal funds for Planned Parenthood. He demanded to know Hare's stand on reproductive rights for women.
To applause, Hare said that he is pro-choice.
Another member of the audience asked Hare whether he thought health care was a civil right. Hare said he thought it was.
It became apparent that some people are fearful that the changes will diminish their coverage or the system itself. But Hare argued that in the his home district 99.5 percent of the people will pay less for coverage.
He said 82,000 people in his congressional district without coverage will get it under this plan, if it is passed by Congress.