Greenwich Health Care Forum Gets Heated

The issue of health care has politicians, insurance providers, doctors, and citizens all over the country in heated debate. Few would argue that the complexities of health care reform necessitate a lot of talking—and a lot of listening.

Congressman Jim Himes continued his Health Care Listening Tour Monday night at Greenwich Town Hall. It was the first of three similar events scheduled for the coming week in Fairfield County. But from the moment Himes entered the packed house of about 200 people, with more outside who were turned away when the venue reached capacity, one thing was clear: not a whole lot of listening was about to take place.  

“No more government!” “You didn’t read it!” “Make me feel better!” “Where’s the moderator?” This was the kind of heated banter that was hurled around the Greenwich auditorium from the very start of the event.

In fact, there was a moderator. The event was broadcast live on the radio, and WGCH morning newsman Tony Savino did his best to keep the crowd civil. He warned of a one-strike-and-you're-out rule for rudeness.

Under discussion was the "public option"—a possible part of health insurance reform that would allow a government or quasi-government agency to offer health insurance in competition with private insurers. It’s what Himes describes as “Orbitz.com for health insurance.” The public option is designed to do two things: extend health care to millions of uninsured Americans, and substantially reduce the costs in the system. Critics, however, say that allowing the government to increase its involvement in health care would be unfair competition for private companies and would result in government officials deciding who would get what care.

“This is a very complicated bill on the most complicated policy issue I have ever tried to get my head around,” said Himes. “We have a terribly, terribly broken system. I think it's critical that we have a public option.”

In response to Himes’s opening comments, about half the room applauded and boldly flashed their public option stickers, while the rest groaned and shook their heads in disapproval.

Among those in support of allowing a public option was Susan Nisinzweig, a Riverside resident and mother of an autistic child who was severely injured in a car accident. Nisinzwieg’s son underwent major brain surgery, which left the family with significant medical bills; but when her private insurance company learned that her son was autistic, he was dropped from coverage.

"We had to sell our house," Nisinzweig said. “It makes me so upset that people don’t realize that a public option will give people like me a chance.”

But rubbing up—literally—against every passionate public option proponent was an equally passionate opponent. Michael Pope, a very vocal Greenwich resident, argued that a government-run program would reduce the quality of care and result in socialism.

"No more government! You guys have gotten too big,” Pope shouted, sans microphone. “The free market can do it better than you!”
 
Others questioned why the government had not profiled the millions of uninsured, and argued that the millions of already-insured, taxpaying Americans should not be responsible for undocumented aliens.

“Who are these people?” was a question that echoed among the crowd.

In Connecticut, over 350,000 people have no access to health care. According to Himes, the uninsured population does include undocumented immigrants, but also workers between jobs and young people who risk opting out of insurance.

“Some people drive Mercedes and people can't afford cars,” said Himes. “I’m not sure we’re comfortable with that characteristic in our health care.”

From time to time, the conversation strayed away from the public option. Bob Katz of Stamford asked Himes if he would support a bill that would require pharmaceutical companies to clearly label bottles with the location of the manufacturer (Himes said he would consider it). Another woman in the audience asked Himes how he managed to read such a long bill, and questioned if he read them at all.

“You didn’t read it. You didn’t,” she said. “It’s not humanly possible.”

One of the last constituents to speak was Dr. Thomas L. Nins of Greenwich First Baptist Church.

“I am so proud of how we’ve handled the passion and difference of opinion tonight,” said Nins. “But, Jim, what do I tell the families on Sunday?”

Himes said that just as our country gives every child the right to an education, he hopes that the day will soon come that every child gets to see a doctor.

“Tell them that we’re having a big ugly discussion on what we’re gonna do and how we’re gonna get it right,” said Himes, “and we probably won’t get it right, but we’re going to make a commitment to our children.”

The meeting ended shortly after 8 p.m. Himes, accompanied by a team of police officers, went outside the building to address the hundreds of critics who had gathered on the front steps, since they had been turned away two hours prior. Himes told them that the proposed public option legislation would provide the public just that—an option, and that they could keep their private insurance plans if they so desired.

Himes said that Congress could vote to create a public option by the end of the year, and that at the end of the day, the decision is likely to be made by seven or eight swing senators.

“It’s hard to know where this thing is going,” said Himes, “but for better or worse, everything is on the table.”