CASTLE ROCK — U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman said the country needs insurance reform that makes it easier for small businesses to afford health care, but that a public option is a “bait and switch” to a single-payer plan that would bankrupt the government.
More than 400 people came to the Republican congressman’s health care town hall — his second in a week — to speak out on reform.
The crowd, standing in the back and along the aisles, was prohibited from lugging signs into the room and only those who signed up to ask questions in advance were called on, keeping the gathering serene and respectful.
“For small businesses, we need to recognize why the market doesn’t work as well as it should,” Coffman said.
Outside, a few dozen protesters screamed at one another. Those against the House bill floating through Congress sang Kumbaya and carried signs — one read “RIP Grandma, Cause of Death: Treatment Denied!”
Sherry Hoover, 65, said the debate is more of a “power grab” by the Obama administration than it is about fixing the nation’s health care system. She said she just enrolled in Medicare, but that a supplement is needed because it’s “catastrophic” insurance.
Coffman said he believes in getting the estimated 47 million uninsured people in the country some health insurance help.
Meg Young, 20, said she wants to know why having health insurance available for everyone is so controversial. Though she works full-time in food-service management, she isn’t offered health insurance.
“Quite frankly, I’d like to be able to go to the doctor if I break my leg, or if I’m sick,” she said.
Allison Sherry: 303-954-1377 or asherry@denverpost.com
