Jackson Free Press

Opening up a forum for civil discussion and debate, Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi's Second Congressional District addressed questions to more than 300 people last night on proposals for health-care reform. Standing shoulder- to-shoulder in Jackson's M.W. Stringer Grand Lodge, some attendees held signs supporting universal health care while others used handouts to fan themselves from the heat.

Two lines wrapped around the room for access to microphones that had been established for the public's questions. Some constituents waited for hours to ask Thompson their questions while others debated the specifics of H.R. bill 3200 in the lobby of the lodge.

Patiently, Thompson addressed each question and gave everyone an opportunity to voice his or her concern. Thompson, who is a proponent of the bill, spoke out against high-profiting insurance companies, the inequality of refusing care because of pre-existing conditions and misinformation propagated by the opponents of reform.

Skeptics of the bill voiced their questions regarding including abortion funding and the cost to taxpayers. Others stated that the government should remain out of private affairs such as health care.

When asked about the cost of the bill adding to the $1 trillion national deficit, Thompson lashed out about the fiscal irresponsibility of the Bush administration, eliciting cheers from the crowd. "I wish when I was voting against his deficit budgeting every time, that somebody like you would have said, 'Bennie Thompson, you're doing the right thing because you're not helping to put this country in debt,'" he said. "But nobody called me. ... I'm convinced there's enough fat in the system that if we look at what insurance companies are doing to people, if we're looking at what drug companies are doing by overcharging for the price of medicine, there is significant savings to finance what we're talking about."

Not every response, however, was met with cheers. When asked if abortion would be covered in the bill, Thompson replied: "Abortion is not mentioned anywhere in this bill." Many in the crowd shouted back at him that it is mentioned.

Thompson is a Democrat from Bolton who was elected as a U.S. representative in 1993. He has served as chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security since January 2007.

Previous Comments

ID

151244

Comment

Thanks Ronnie for posting McLaughlin's article. It is so strange that so much attention was given to Wicker's town-hall meeting in Natchez, yet, Thompson's meeting was basically a hit and miss. I watched on all three local TV stations and the CL did the same thing. Is this media's attempt to help with the defeat for health insurance. Interesting also is that 99% of the people in the Natchez town hall meeting were Medicare recipients. They are already a part of a Gov. sponsored program. I just don't get it.

Author

justjess

Date

2009-08-26T09:35:53-06:00