Civil GV crowd peppers Giffords with questions

Green Valley residents packed the house at Tuesday’s town hall on health care reform, peppering U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords with questions and applauding loudly for ideas on both sides of the issue.

An orderly crowd of about 500 rocked the West Social Center with applause for speakers who oppose government expanding its role in health care. There also was solid, though less boisterous, applause for pro-reform calls for universal health coverage and allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices.

About 100 people, many with signs, remained outside listening to the meeting on loudspeakers or radio as the hall filled up a half-hour before the 9 a.m. meeting.

Giffords told the crowd she is not wedded to any one of the reform plans before Congress, but wants to address the 50 million uninsured and 20 million underinsured in the country. She also supports negotiating drug prices and favors a public option that would offer the public the insurance coverage that is now available to federal employees.

“Giffords respectfully not only heard, but listened to the concerns expressed,” said Green Valley retiree Dave Rozanc, who is not a fan of reform.

Rozanc, a former insurance company employee, believes proposed spending on health-care reform will not pay for itself, and the excess spending will cause inflation that will hurt the investment income of senior citizens.

Pro-reformer Anne Marie Lindstrom of Green Valley, who was born with spina bifida and who spoke from a wheelchair, said, “single-payer please... I am absolutely uninsurable.” She said she had not landed some jobs because the insurance provider would not cover her.

Giffords said a single-payer approach, and the complexities it brings, is not on the table now.

Cynthia Rose of Tubac and Tucson, who said her husband is a military consultant, said, “When government takes control of banks, mortgage companies, car makers and, now, health care, we lose our freedoms,” generating big applause and some whoops.

Giffords said the government support of the auto industry is necessary in case we need to build tanks, for example, for a future war. She at various times carefully explained her votes against the initial bank bail-out, cars for clunkers and other government programs.

Giffords’ staff used a lottery system with tickets to determine who would get to ask questions.

“Health care is a human right,” Barbara Laupmanis of Green Valley said, drawing light applause and some boos. She said she has lupus, a chronic illness, is enrolled in Medicare, and recently paid $1,400 to Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

The Green Valley town hall came a day after about 1,300 people gathered at a high school in Sierra Vista to hear Giffords. That crowd was more boisterous, even booing former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona, who spoke before Giffords answered questions.

Overall, the Green Valley crowd was exemplary, asking probing questions, telling poignant stories and offering important information for the congresswoman to consider as she returns to Washington.

One exchange between Giffords and a Green Valley man summarized the fears of many.

George Grygiel drew loud applause by saying, “for health care reform to bankrupt this country is immoral. Congress refuses to deal with reducing costs.”

Giffords said, “The change will not affect you all; it will affect younger folks. There is a lot of fear, anger and mistrust in the country.”

Grygiel responded, “The people are getting it crammed down our throats. We constituents do not trust government anymore.”

After the town hall, Giffords said the session was informative but acknowledged there is “a disconnect” on the part of numerous speakers who said they want no increased government role in health care but are pleased with their own government-funded coverage, whether Medicare, active military or Tri-Care.

Giffords said fellow Democrats must win her vote and the votes of others in the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition in order to pass a bill.

Laura Leick of Sahuarita, who is semi-retired, did not get to speak but was hoping to ask about banning insurers from using pre-existing conditions from dumping subscribers. Leick said she and her sister each retired before age 65 and are not eligible for Medicare and face either having no insurance, paying huge premiums or, in her case, buying an affordable policy with a $5,000 deductible.

Leick said she supports a public option as well as tort reform and said the event was helpful, though most attendees already have their views fixed, because “she (Giffords) did a good job listening and responding to those who wanted a response. There’s one woman who walked away. There’s passion in these things.”

pfranchine@sahuarita.com| 547-9738