Citizens and students were waiting for the meeting—which began at 6:30 p.m.—as early as 2 p.m. to ensure that they would get one of the 400 available seats.

Delbert Vincent, political science senior, said he had been waiting since 4 p.m. because he wanted a chance to hear what Hill had to say and possibly voice his own opinion.

“I think he’s already decided what he’s going to do,” he said. “Public forums are for public show.”

The patio next to the Hoosier Room broadcasted the meeting through speakers for those who were turned away when the 400 person cap was reached.

Student Government Association President James Bonsall said he wasn’t sure if he was for or against the bill, H.R. 3200.

“I’m pro-reform,” he said. “My dad doesn’t have health insurance and it’s concerning because others are like him.”

For the first ten minutes of the meeting, Hill talked about which aspects of the bill he supported and those he wanted to see changed before it was signed by the president.

“The people have a chance to be heard,” he said. “I convinced Obama to hold off, he agreed and here we are now.”

He also challenged citizens to understand the importance of passing some type of healthcare reform.

“This is not only a political decision we are making,” he said, “it’s humanitarian.”

After his opening statements, tensions quickly rose after people began voicing their own opinions and questions.

“I prefer not to turn this into a Jerry Springer town hall meeting,” Hill said.

Debbie Sager, of Jasper, Ind., asked Hill if he would vote for what the majority of the citizens wanted, which may not necessarily be in line with his party.

“Are you a true blue-dog democrat?” she said.

“I’m an independent voice of southern Indiana,” Hill said.

Hill’s unofficial title as a blue-dog democrat who can cross the partisan aisles to reach a compromise that benefits the majority did not impress Larry Ness of Brown County, Ind.

“Hill may be a lap dog, but he most certainly is no blue-dog,” he said.

The increase nationalized healthcare would have on the deficit is a common fear people opposed to—and some in favor of—the bill have.

Hill said the bill was deficit neutral and paygo rules must be in place before it passes.

When asked how the United States would get to the point of financial stability where passing the bill would make fiscal sense, Hill said raising revenue as well as a tax increase on those earning more than $250,000 a year would have to take place.

Lisa Dean, of Columbus, Ind., challenged Hill to sign up for the healthcare proposed in the bill and, after it was proven to work, pass it down to his constituents.

“You know what,” Hill said, “I’d be willing to do that.”

Hill said he was currently on his wife’s health insurance plan because it was better than the one provided for lawmakers. His wife is a retired school teacher.

Keith Foster, of New Albany, asked Hill why using the private sector and competition to lower the cost of healthcare would not work. Hill said the constant increase in premiums was forcing some people to drop their coverage.

“The system, in my view, is broken,” he said.

Susan Hewitt, a small business owner in New Albany, said she can’t afford to provide healthcare for her two employees.

“All we want is an opportunity to have some affordable healthcare,” she said.

One audience member against the bill said healthcare was not an entitlement and people should “get up and get a job.”

This drew an emotional response from another audience member who talked about her diabetic sister who worked full-time and still couldn’t afford health insurance.

Hill worked to keep the tone of the meeting respectful and at times reminded the audience of the need to be civil.

“Nobody’s point of view is more important than that of the person sitting next to you or the person in the front row,” he said.

By the end of the meeting, most of the people who attended still maintained their support or opposition to the bill.

Teresa Curry-Boyd, of New Albany, said she was against the bill but wanted some kind of reform.

“He’s trying to ram this bill down our throats,” she said. “He’s tooting his own horn.”

Dave Cox, of Sellersburg, Ind., said he and his wife became healthcare reform activists after watching the Michael Moore documentary “Sicko” and they wanted to “hurt the insurance companies.”

“Insurance doesn’t work for healthcare because everyone needs it,” he said.

Vincent said the public needs to accept the responsibility of getting health insurance instead of relying on the federal government for aid.

“I do think Medicare and Medicaid are broken as well as regular insurance,” he said. “The government stepping in is the wrong avenue.”

By TRAVIS STURGILL and GRACE STAMPER
Editors
trsturgi@ius.edu,
gstamper@ius.edu