The lines stretched along the sides of Charlottesville High School’s auditorium. Last night, more than 1,000 people waited eagerly for the arrival of Fifth District Congressman Tom Perriello. But it wasn’t a campaign stop. Perriello held a town hall meeting to discuss health care reform. Unlike what has happened around the country, this crowd remained civil and refrained from any violent action.
Although the majority of those attending favored health care reforms, many debated that a public option would not work, because, they argued, the government had not showed the ability to do “anything right.”
Perriello, who said that he prefers a health care supported by the private sector rather than the public one, was poised and told the auditorium that he is not yet ready “for any version” of the health care bill that is currently in the House of Representatives.
“Tom in Your Town,” as the town halls are called, was originally intended as a chance for constituents to have a one-on-one meeting with Perriello, but in seven previous town halls, Perriello’s office recognized the need to have an open forum. That method brought forth a myriad of different opinions on policy, government, health care and politics.
One woman, a musician who currently is without health insurance, approached the microphone and issued a challenge to all those in attendance: “Tomorrow morning, drop your health insurance,” she said, so that people who oppose reform get to see and know what the “system is really like.” Applause exploded.
Perriello was clear on one point: He does not support a single-payer bill, because he does not support the government limiting state rights.
The next town hall will be held in the Fluvanna County School Board Office on Monday, August 17.