Another listening session turns heated

APPLETON - Tuesday morning, the Thompson Community Center in Appleton quickly filled to capacity for a health care listening session with U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen, D-8th Dist.

Only 250 people were let in because of fire code, leaving dozens of disappointed constituents outside.

"You had to have known that there was going to be a huge crowd that was going to come out for this," one lady who was turned away said to Kagen's staff.

"I am upset," said Bill Foth, of Freedom. "I'm very angry. I have five pages of questions that I wanted him to address or at least listen to and now I have no voice," said Foth.

Kagen's aides said there was just not enough time to find a new location and the congressman plans to schedule additional events in the next few weeks.

It was a similar situation Monday night at the Brown County Library in Green Bay. Angry constituents were also turned away from that listening session and many inside shouted at Kagen.

In both cases, the main topic on hand was health care reform. Most of those who showed up said they did so to let Kagen know they do not want the government to get involved.

Tuesday, Kagen repeatedly had to compete with jeers and heckling from the crowd. As the morning wore on, however, the crowd settled somewhat and Kagen fielded questions and angry comments from constituents.

Some people had questions about the specifics of the current proposal circulating Congress. Others just wanted Kagen to know they do not support a plan that gets the government involved.

Kagen admits not everyone is on board with a health care overhaul but he said both sides should be able to find some common ground.

"All prices should be openly disclosed," said Kagen. "No insurance company should be allowed to say no to you because of a pre-existing condition and if we get that market place we can leverage down prices for everybody," he added.

Some say they do support the proposed changes.

"Yes, something needs to be done. If nothing is done, it is just going to cost more money," said Judy Ames, of Appleton.

But most people who showed up say they will continue to fight to keep government out of health care. It's a debate not likely to end anytime soon.