Gregg holding morning health care forum

(NECN: Alysha Palumbo, Salem, N.H.) – Town hall style meetings on the President’s proposed health care reform have become more and more contentious as the debate over nationalizing health care heats up. One woman in Rhode Island said, “I think that health care in America needs to be reformed but I don’t feel that they need to throw out the baby with the bath water.” Another Rhode Islander said, “I don’t know how many of these people who are saying they’re against helping others get health care would be willing to give back their medicare, their social security benefits, they certainly love them and trust the government to protect that.” Over the past two days, Rhode Island Congressman Jim Langevin and Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank have hosted local meetings that have re-directed their constituents’ frustrations squarely on them. To the sound of boos from the crowd, Rep. Barney Frank said Tuesday, “Do you really think that’s thoughtful conversation? Do you really think that advances your argument? I thought you were thoughtful people here to have a conversation.” On Wednesday Rep. Jim Langevin said, “No one’s going to change my mind about the fact that we need to fix our health care system, the health care system is in crisis, the path that we’re on right now is unsustainable and doing nothing isn’t an option.” Now New Hampshire Senator Judd Gregg has responded to requests to speak with activists about health care reform in his state. But he has taken a different approach. Senator Gregg’s office announced last night that he would hold a forum at the Salem Senior Center, but it’s at 9 a.m. Thursday, giving activists only hours to spread the word. It’s unclear whether Senator Gregg will speak at the event or just listen, but he has gone on the record in the past as saying he hopes the President backtracks on the public option in the plan, something many people at these town hall meetings have also criticized. One Massachusetts woman said, “I think this is a skeleton to bring in the single payer and that will socialize and nationalize health care.”