Sen John McCain tries to listen at a Phoenix
town hall meeting on health care reform
Before Sen John McCain (R-AZ) had even started his town hall meeting in a Phoenix church, he had to ask security to physically escort one angry woman from the meeting.
The woman simply refused to stop screaming at Sen. McCain. There was applause when she was escorted out and Sen McCain simply said, “Bye, see ya.”
The Arizona Senator, who during his bid for the Presidency had his own ideas for health care reform, was holding a series of town hall meetings to discuss the proposals put forth by the Democrats which will be debated when Congress returns to Washington after the August recess.
The town hall meetings are intended to give voters a forum to express their views and concerns. Often, however, many of these town hall meetings have disintegrated into what can more accurately be called protests rather then meetings.
Sen. McCain told the audience of about 2000 that he would fight for health care reform. He opposes the proposals from the Democrats which would create a public plan in competition with private insurance.
Many of the members of this audience addressed issues of accessibility. Important questions centered around specific medical conditions such as HIV, cancer and multiple sclerosis. So far, no Republican has specifically addressed the issue of accessibility for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions. These individuals cannot get private insurance unless they are covered under an employer sponsored group plan.
After the Phoenix meeting. McCain said, "there's more interest and involvement in this issue than I've ever seen in many years on a domestic issue."
Sen. McCain had a much quieter time at his next town hall meeting in Sun City. He again spoke against the Democratic proposals to the mostly retired audience whose concerns were more directed at negative changes to Medicare.
A town hall meeting scheduled for Flagstaff was canceled. Sen. McCain is flying East to attend funeral services for Sen. Edward Kennedy who died this week after an 18 month battle against brain cancer.
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Comments
I would like to know what page there is mention of paying for abortions in the health care bill that Sen Kennedy supported. Sen McCain said that to Larry King last night and I question that statement. I appreciate that there are problems with the current bill but it is so important to speak truthfully about what it contains, I am very dissapointed In the way Sen. McCain is handeling this information. Lets stay clear headed and honest. thank you
Consider this, without direct wording about abortion in a passed bill covering medical procedures abortion would be covered. A little history you see supports the position of McCann. Again without mention of abortion, abortion will be covered.
The Hyde Amendment
After Roe v. Wade decriminalized abortion in 1973, Medicaid covered abortion care without restriction. In 1976, Representative Henry Hyde (R-IL) introduced an amendment that later passed to limit federal funding for abortion care. Effective in 1977, this provision, known as the Hyde Amendment, specifies what abortion services are covered under Medicaid.
PS: The President and all involved in passing these laws are fully aware of The Hyde Amendment and what it implies for future laws written.
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