Kagen hosts last listening session

Unlike some of his previous listening sessions, Democratic Congressman Steve Kagen was greeted with applause in Appleton.

More than 300 people came out for Kagen's 8th and final listening session on health care.

"It'll benefit all of us," said Delores Riemer of Hilbert.

Riemer came out to support the reforms being proposed. She says opponents of the plans have been disrespectful at many meetings.

"They yell and they holler so nobody gets to know what's going on then you know," said Riemer.

"It's really impossible for me to say what I'm going to vote for until I read the bill," said Kagen.

For the most part, people at the final listening session were calm. But many here made it clear they do not support the reform plans being discussed.

"Once you open the door pandora's box is gonna come apart on this," said Outagamie County board member Chuck Schmidt.

Schmidt says he's concerned about more government involvement in health care.

"It's a slippery slope and I hope he understands that we need to avoid this at all costs," said Schmidt.

"Right now we've got legislation that is unfinished," said Kagen.

Kagen says the government has to do something. These listening sessions, he says, have helped clarify what that something needs to be.

"The message to Washington from Northeast Wisconsin is let's fix what's broken, improve on what we already have and make sure it's at a price we can afford to pay," said Kagen.

Kagen will return to Washington on Monday.