(Photo: Bob Hodgman)
An overflow crowd turned out Saturday for a Town Hall meeting by Representative Rick Larsen to discuss health care legislation now being worked on in Congress.
The Public Utilities District meeting hall in Mount Vernon filled up with the allowed 150 people, leaving an equal number outside to listen to the Town Hall meeting on speakers. Many people carried signs supporting single-payer health care, while other signs protested covernment-controlled health care.
Congressman Larsen led a sometimes contentious group and answered questions about health care legislation that has been drafted in the House of Representatives. Other legislation is being worked on in the Senate, but Larsen stuck to the House version, HB3200.
Larsen told the crowd that the final solution to health care reform probably won't satisfy single-payer advocates or those who oppose any change in the nation's health care system. "The honest truth is, the solution is somewhere in the middle," he said.
Larsen spent much of the time trying to dispell misinformation, saying the bill does not allow government access to patient bank accounts or allow illegal immigrants access to government-run health care.
Larsen said he has not yet made up his mind on the House bill, but said the status quo is unacceptable. But, he said he may vote for the bill, even though it doesn't give him exactly what he wants.
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