Rep. Petri talks health care

TOWN OF BUCHANAN - After two straight days of shouting matches erupting at health care listening sessions hosted by U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen, D-8th Dist., a session hosted by U.S. Rep. Tom Petri, R-6th Dist., was much more subdued.

Petri spent Wednesday morning taking questions from constituents at a listening session in the Town of Buchanan. About 50 people showed up, most to ask questions about the proposed health care reform circulating through Congress.

Petri said changes do need to be made to the current system but that Congress should take its time passing any health care legislation.

Most who showed up urged Rep. Petri not to support legislation that would offer a government-backed insurance option.  Ron Blickhahn, of Appleton, cited a recent Rasmussen Poll that says about 80% of voters are happy with their current health care plan.

"I'm one of the 80%. I'm satisfied with what I have. I don't have a problem with health care reform as long as it's responsible," said Blickhahn.

Some believe, no matter what, increased government involvement will not work.  They point to problems with other programs like Social Security and Medicare.

"Congress bankrupt those two programs," said Wallace Morrow, of Darboy. "So are they going to do the same thing with nationalized health care?" Morrow added.

Petri said he's still trying to figure out what the best solution is -- although he said he has major concerns about the current proposal.

"The current government programs they they're modeling this expansion after, mainly Medicare, have a lot of problems themselves. So it's not necessarily a solid foundation on which to build," said Petri.

Despite Petri's doubts about the proposed plan, Helen Patton Gray showed up hoping to convince him to that it's a step in the right direction.

"I definitely think we should have that because there's too many people running around without insurance and then they go to the emergency room. And then who pays for that? Taxpayers," said Gray.

One thing is clear: people are turning out all across the country for these listening sessions. What kind of impact it will have on the legislation, however, still remains to be seen.