About 2,000 show up to health care forum

Roughly 1,300 people packed the auditorium Monday at Skokie's Niles West High School to shout, clap, boo and cheer their way through another public forum about the future of health care in the U.S.

Monday's forum was hosted by U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, a Democrat and supporter of President Barack Obama's health care reform plan. Schakowsky clearly enjoyed robust support in the room, but opponents made themselves heard as well.

Chants for "health care now!" competed with accusations of "socialism!" Few speakers could talk for more than a few seconds without heckles from one side or the other.

Afterward, Schakowsky said she wasn't surprised by the emotional tenor of the discussion.

"This is an issue people are really passionate about," she said. "But I think a lot of folks came here wanting to find out the truth about this health care proposal."

Schakowsky said the town hall forums, as unruly as some have been, have helped people better understand the issue. She said she's optimistic health care reform ultimately will be approved in Congress.

Supporters of reform shared stories Monday about loved ones being left out in the cold by the current health care system. Cindy Grossman of Glenview talked about her adult son, who suffers from mental illness. She said she's already maxed out the insurance benefits she can get for her son, even though he's just in his late 20s.

"Insurance companies will never self-regulate," she said.

Opponents, like Bob Wisniewski of Des Plaines, said the reform proposal sounds like a way to put the government in complete control of the system.

"I'm amazed at how many people want to let the government-run health care," the 67-year-old retired contractor said. "We can't trust Congress to do right with our money right now. Making government bigger and socializing everything is not the answer."

Trust became a common theme among opponents of the plan. Several challenged Schakowsky to explain why the American people should believe politicians who claim the health care plan won't lead to a full government takeover. Others said Congress has not demonstrated the willingness or ability to manage taxpayer dollars properly before, so lawmakers shouldn't expect much good will now.

"I understand that there are issues of trust out there," Schakowsky told the audience. "The bill is what it is. It doesn't call for a single payer. The insurance industry can exist side-by-side with the public option contained in this bill."

Schakowsky said the legislation will not reduce Medicare benefits, will not lead to "rationing" of health care, and will not divert federal dollars to abortions. She also stressed it will not provide health care to illegal immigrants.

"People are worried about the misinformation they hear because it's scary," she said. "Fear is a friend to opponents of health care reform."

As has been the case at previous health care forums, hundreds of people were turned away from the doors Monday. A Schakowsky spokesman estimated as many as 900 people gathered outside the school, unable to enter the auditorium for fire-safety reasons.

Schakowsky hosted her forum the same day that U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, a Democrat, hosted a meeting of his own on the issue. Durbin's small "listening session" included input from a doctor, a nurse, a hospital administrator, a small-business owner and Illinois residents who have struggled under the current health care system. A Durbin spokeswoman said the meeting was productive and illuminating.

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Video</h2> <ul class="video"> <li><a href="/multimedia/?category=4&type=video&item=70">Rep. Schakowsky town hall meeting </a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>