TOWN OF MONROE – It was about the 70th time Rep. John Hall stood in a crowded room, listing to often spirited input on the health care issue. Thursday’s audience was largely senior. Many were members of the Jolly Senior Citizens of Monroe, but the meeting was open to the public and only one ‘Jolly Senior’ was called on to ask a question.

While there was a sense that the current system is broken, there was a prevailing distrust of any invasive government solution.

“How will this be paid for?” several asked.

‘I will not vote for a bill that is not paid for,” Hall told the largely skeptical crowd.

But, he said, repeatedly, what is in place now, is not working. “What we’ve got right now is worse than what we had 15 years ago when there was an attempt from the Clinton administration to deal with health care reform, that was killed, in part by a lot of advertising by the insurance industry,” he said. “I don’t think we can wait another 15 years of having increases of 20 percent or more, in premiums, every year.”

That resonated with Chris Lee, of Mountainville, one of the few supporters of health care reform, who was picked, randomly, to ask a question. 

“I would so much prefer my health care to be in the hand of people who don’t profit from denying me service”, Lee said, to some applause.

The loudest applause, however, went to those who had the harshest criticism for what they see as a government takeover of their private lives.

That point was made by Michelle Hieronymi, of Monroe, the first person picked during the question and answer session.

 “You in Congress are trying to pass this massive government takeover of our lives, called ‘health care’.  Doesn’t have to do with power and it certainly doesn’t have to do with care.  You will change the framework of this country forever.  We will lose our freedoms …”

There were the usual claims of ‘death panels’ rationing, particularly for the elderly, loss of privacy, and even one woman who said she feared her right to vote would be taken away, before the next congressional election, which is next year. 

None of that is in the bill, countered Hall, who argued that rationing is going on now, at the hands of providers and the insurance companies.  Recalling a painful personal experience, Hall told of overhearing a doctor, treating his dying brother, ask “How many more pints of blood is this project worth?”

As for politics … “I’m not voting the way someone is telling me to vote”, Hall said, adding that he has people on the left and right angry with him, at the moment.  “If I vote my conscience and lose my job over it, then I voted my conscience.”