Tea party group holds health care forum

APPLETON - On the heels of two health care listening sessions which turned into shouting sessions, a much more subdued health care discussion took place in Appleton.

"Government takeover of the health care industry would be a disaster," event organizer Jim Steineke told FOX 11. Steineke is with the Fox Valley Initiative. That's the same group that organized two tea party protests in Appleton. The group and much of the discussion at the event, was opposed to most of the reforms being discussed in Washington.

"We don't believe the government should take an active role in the free market system," Steineke said. He attended both of Kagen's events. While this event was orderly, Steineke said he understands the frustrations some people have.

"People are rightfully angry," Steineke said. "They're frustrated and they're scared."

"People are very concerned and very frightened about what they don't understand," Rep. Steve Kagen, D-8th District, told FOX 11. "It's only natural that they might become angry."

Kagen said he was impressed with the turnout at his events. He hopes people know even if they disagree with him, he is listening.

"At times it felt like a Packer game or high school football game, but people have very strong passions in northeast Wisconsin," Kagen said. "I understand what that's like and I look forward to taking their views back to Washington and deliver it with the same fervor it was delivered to me."

Kagen was not at the meeting Tuesday night in Appleton but he did have a representative there. Kagen has another listening session Wednesday night at six o'clock at the senior center in Marinette.