Petri holds last health care meeting

The pledge of allegiance may have been the only thing united at a meeting in Montello Friday. At the town hall style gathering, Representative Tom Petri fielded questions and concerns.

The topic of choice? A massive health care bill, he brought in print to illustrate its scope.

"The average person that's going to be affected by this bill cannot possibly understand it," Harold Harding of Westfield said.

Many called for more information, concerned lawmakers will push the bill forward and overhaul the insurance system without enough input.

"I'm 85 years old and pretty soon they'll say I'm not worth getting the care, they should put a younger more productive person in there," Glen Steffens of Endeavor said.

Most agree there are problems with the current system, but the room was divided on the fix.

"I'm wondering if there's any couple here who pays more than $850 a month for insurance?" Mara Meronek asked. Many answered in chorus shouting out, "more."

Some called for a public insurance option to increase competition among insurers. While others worry the move would decrease the quality of care.

"Some people say stop don't do it, go away," Rep. Tom Petri said. "Others say well if we can make the system better or improve things or help someone else, great, but don't make anything worse for me."

While Petri tried to answer all questions he cautioned those in the room that the bill is not in final form, he believes it will change and change again.

He spent most of the session listening, but also shared his views. Petri believes lawmakers should target specific problem areas, rather than trying to overhaul an entire system many say is working just fine.