Health Care Town Hall at the foot of the Palm City bridge

"I agree that I will listen and speak when called upon. I agree that the only way a civil discussion can occur is if participants agree to be respectful of all speakers, I agree or not I will join in the civil discussion."

I greeted each attendee with a question. Would you like to speak tonight? I'm requesting each participant sign this agreement for civility. I believe it encouraged participants and audience members alike to behave civilly. After the guests signed I offered them a speaker's card. I had made up speakers cards, and had planned to allot 3 minutes to each speaker. And allowing for opening comments and some time for announcements that would be close to the 2 hours, for which we'd rented the room. Over fifty people attended our town hall meeting and of everyone I asked I only had two refuse to sign, One gentleman ANGRILY denounced me for insulting him in such a manner. Asking him to be civil - what gall! [REAL GALL MEDICAL INSURANCE SALARIES] I tried to explain that while most people would behave no other way, with tempers what they have been, recently some people need added reassurance that there would be no boorish behavior. One refuser, later did agree to sign so he could get a speaking part. He was an Iraq vet who ultimately did agreed that if anything happened we should certainly reform insurance. We had over 30 speakers during the evening including two strident supporters of single payer, a teenager with a personal tale and an octogenarian with European health care experience. Our town hall meeting came on the heels of a very strident town hall held at our local college. It was held at the behest of the local republican congressman. Who is happy it would seem to betray his own constituents for the Insurance blood money that will surely come his way. The audience was made up in equal parts, of independents, motivated democrats and energized republicans. We had a dedicated contingent of democratic activists and tea-bagger republicans outside with signs, trading perspectives in a mostly genial manner. The occasional intemperate exchange was the exception. I did from time to time need to urge restraint. The majority were people interested in listening to the presentations. Knowing that with tempers as high as they have been nationally, there was a chance that things could become difficult. I hoped that with the civility pledge and signature, and the speakers numbers to resolve who speaks next we had a shot to achieve a reasonable and polite discourse despite the press and the recent history that suggested that civil discussion was not possible. We heard passionate tales of health care denied people in need, we had doctors defending their institutions assuring us that no one was ever turned away. We heard from people who spoke of their profound distrust of the government. We had people complain that the Health care reform was not necessary, that it was being rushed through Congress at the behest of an untried president. Some spoke of their personal knowledge of failures of Canadian and European medical care. Others had nothing but praise for their experiences in Britain and Canada. We had people who spoke of the needs of the uninsured and the insured alike to live free of fear of cancellation and bankruptcy. Others spoke of self-induced medical problems, drugs, drink and diabetes, but when challenged that not all medical problems arose from irresponsible behavior the point was conceded, reluctantly but conceded. Some referred to the need for a personal responsibility. Despite a few cat calls, and a few amens from the energized audience we had an important exchange of opinion and actually shared perspectives across a great political divide, on a topic that is life an death for every American, born and yet unborn. Some people wondered why in this the greatest country, we have such an expensive healthcare system in which children die, when faceless insurance bureaucrats ration care, and children and elderly die. Our last speaker lifted a copy of the Constitution and pointed to the phrase"We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare," Richard W. Spisak Jr. Co Chair Citizen Coalition for the Future of Healthcare in Martin County Thanks to everyone who made yesterday's Townhall meeting so successful. first I must congratulate my co-chairs Ms. Bonnie Becker and Ms. Amy Wexler, without whose support these activities could not have taken place. And the other members of our coalition who have added their support. Andrew, Edwin, Dave, Maria, Linda and more! Excellent article in the Stuart News. I also want to thank the good people of the Palm City Recreation Center who also believed that the grownup boys and girls of Martin County could come together and disagree civilly.Thanks Debbie and thanks Dave from the Parks Department. Martin Memorial did come through with some resource links for us to share with you! Take a look here! [Martin Memorial Update. ================================================================================================================================ REGARDING CURRENT HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION ================================================================================================================================ The Healthcare Economist Analyzes the current proposals this way August 20, 2009 in Current Events | No comments Are you in favor of reform of the health care system or not? This question is difficult to answer because few people know what reforms are actually being proposed. Do not worry, the Healthcare Economist is here to help. Currently, there are four major plans on the table: Senate Finance Committee Policy Options. The plan has an individual mandate, creates a Health Insurance Exchange for individuals and small businesses to purchase insurance, gives subsidies to individuals/families with income between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty line (FPL), expands Medicaid and SCHIP, allows a temporary buy-in for pre-Medicare population. Senate HELP Committee Affordable Health Choice Act. The plan has an individual mandate, creates state-based American Health Benefit Gateways for individuals and small businesses, subsidies available for individuals/families with incomes up to 400% of FPL, employer “pay or play” mandate with exceptions for small employers, expands Medicaid to all individuals with incomes up to 150% FPL. House Tri-Committee America’s Affordable Health Choice Act of 2009 (H.R. 3200). The plan has an individual mandate, creastes a health insurance exchange for individuals and small employers, has cost sharing credits for families up to 400% of FPL, “pay or play” mandate, expands Medicaid to 133% FPL. President Obama Principles for Health Reform. Mr. Obama has a set of general guidelines to follow which include: reducing long term health care costs, protecting families from healthcare-related bankruptcies, guaranteed choice of doctor, investment in prevention, the ability to maintain coverage when you lose your job, end barriers to coverage for those with pre-existing conditions. [more] ]