York Town Hall Meetings Endorse Health Reform

Emotions ran high in two town hall meetings held August 5th in York. Although opponents of reform made the most noise, a majority of participants indicated their support for national health reform.

The meetings, hosted by York Representative Eugene DePasquale and Montgomery County Representative Josh Shapiro, focused on gathering input from area residents on the health care legislation moving through Congress. Shapiro promised to forward the results of the meeting to the White House.

The 200 participants in the first meeting seemed eager to criticize developments in Washington and the mood was hostile to any positive comments DePasquale or Shpiro offered on reform.

Yet at the end of the meeting, a clear majority raised their hands in support of national health reform with the largest number (67) supporting expanded health coverage through reform of private insurance and the addition of a public option to broaden compeition and choice. Another 16 individuals voted for even more expansive reform - a single payer system similar to Canada's.

The anti-reform portion of those attending, while setting the negative mood for the meeting, only mustered 58 votes in the final straw poll.

Another 29 votes were cast for a plan that would involve insurance regulation but not a public option.

The second meeting, attended by around 120 people, was more mellow.  Again, the pro-reform position attracted the most votes (40) with another 19 supporting a single-payer system.   The anti-reform position attracted 19 votes; 13 supported a plan that would involve insurance regulation but not a public option.

The York Daily Record reported on the meetings.  To read that report, click here.

The Harrisburg Patriot-News provided commentary; click here to read.