Northwest Indiana Discussion

Visclosky faces ire at forum

Health care provokes strong feelings in crowd at C.P. town hall meeting

By Kathleen Quilligan - kathleen.quilligan@nwi.com, (219) 662-5331 | Posted: Sunday, January 10, 2010 12:05 am | (65) Comments

CROWN POINT | The atmosphere was tense Saturday evening during a 1 1/2-hour forum hosted by U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., as tempers flared over health care legislation.

Visclosky told about 100 people in Crown Point who attended the town hall forum the U.S. House and Senate have enacted health care reform, and he voted in favor of it.

"It's not perfect," he said. "It was written by a human being."

Although other topics were discussed during the forum, such as texting while driving, which Visclosky said should be banned, and the Cline Avenue bridge, the majority of the formal questions from audience members involved the Affordable Health Care for America Act passed in early November.

Visclosky was asked if he had read the entire document and how government would pay for it.

He said he spent the majority of the summer reading the document and the bill would pay for itself, prompting a loud, negative reaction from the crowd.

Throughout the forum, when audience members shouted questions at Visclosky or offered comments, the congressman attempted to talk over them. However, the crowd often drowned him out, which compelled him to ask for "civility" and "order."

Kevin Eenigenburg, of Crown Point, walked out of the forum in frustration. He said it was obvious to him that the majority of the people in the room were against Congress' health care bills, but that didn't have an effect on Visclosky.

"He's talking in circles. He's not going to change his stance," Eenigenburg said.

At one point during the discussion, Ron Gang, of Crown Point, stood and addressed the man behind him who was shouting at Visclosky, telling him to be quiet so he could hear the congressman speak.

"It was just a lot of distraction," Gang said after the forum. "(Visclosky) deserves our attention. Everybody has concerns."

After the forum, Visclosky said he is aware people have strong opinions, and that's part of the reason why he is hosting the forums.

"It's important to voice your opinion," he said. "Whether we agree on the issues or not."