Aug 19, 2009 10:05 pm US/Central
Health Care Debate Heats Up in Irving Reporting
Jay Gormley IRVING (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ― Click to enlarge1 of 1
KTVT / KTXA

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They've been heated and vocal across the nation, and in some instances even the lawmakers holding them have responded with shouts and threats.

In North Texas though, the healthcare reform town hall meetings have been mostly civil, so far.

But, if a meeting held Wednesday night in Irving is any indication, the meetings are about to get louder.

The debate started outside of Ranchview High School in Irving. At times, it was loud.

But a strong presence by Irving police kept both sides separated on opposite sides of the protesting fence.

Inside the high school, nearly 1200 people packed the gymnasium. The town hall meeting was sponsored by Republican congressman Pete Sessions, who hammered home his point in the first five minutes. Sessions argued that congress needs to focus on the minority without health insurance rather than on the majority who are covered.

"Instead of aiming at 260 million people and making them come over here and placing them in the same box. I'm for keeping the 260 million in the same place and moving the other 30 million over there."

More tha two-thirds of those in attendance agreed with Congressman Sessions. They believe the current health care plan backed by the White House is too expensive and simply won't work. But a very vocal minority showed up in force; asking congress to support President Obama's plan.

"I'm not asking anybody to give up their health insurance. All I'm saying is that I'm an American and I deserve the same coverage that everyone else gets."

Others in attendance asked questions that struck a balance, but received few answers.

"Health care itself does not need reform. Health insurance does. The basic question is philosophical. Is health care a right or a privilege?"


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