Story Created:
Aug 19, 2009 at 10:48 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Aug 20, 2009 at 12:05 PM EDT
UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - Health care reform is the hottest and most controversial topic right now. Congressman Michael Arcuri held a town hall meeting Wednesday about the issue, and people were far from shy about voicing their concerns.
The Mohawk Valley Community College IT theater was so packed, hundreds of attendees were turned away and forced to wait outside until people left the theater.
Once the meeting started Arcuri said he was there to "learn peoples concerns" about health care reform and that is exactly what he got, from both sides of the argument.
"This bill is extremely complicated. I don't see how you can go through it in a year let alone a couple of months." said one man.
Another woman said, "We need a national program that, for example, if people move they don't have to go find a different kind of health care insurance."
"I don't have have a problem with the federal government getting involved to pay my health care," said another man.
While most expressed concerns about the "what if" on health care reform, others shared stories about a more personal impact it could bring.
"I have rheumatoid arthritis in my spine, I cant walk for any period of time, if I lost my insurance the drugs I have to take in order to walk would cost me over a thousand dollars a month." said one man from his wheelchair.
Congressman Arcuri listened to each speaker and responded to everyone. At certain points he dispelled rumors about the current proposed health care reform bill and even even took the 1150 page document out and read excerpts from it.
Arcuri says he does not support this current bill proposal by Congress. He says, in fact, he does not think it will pass as is. Arcuri says more town halls are planned around the district.
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