U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess told a rowdy overflow crowd at a Town Hall meeting in Denton that their show of opposition to health care legislation makes him very hopeful that America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, currently before Congress, can be defeated. A smiling Burgess clearly relished the political muscle shown by opponents of the legislation during Congress’ August recess. He said that voices in Denton and elsewhere are making an impact in Congress and he is now hopeful that Republicans and “blue dog” Democrats can prevent passage of the bill in its current form.

The crowd Burgess addressed was diverse, ranging from genteel doctors, quietly supporting a fellow-physician, to rowdy placard-wavers ready to shout down anyone taking the mike to support President Barack Obama’s health care initiative. There were also speakers and groups attending the event, supporting an increased government role in health care. Unlike town hall meetings in other parts of the country where representatives faced hoots and jeers that made it difficult to give their messages, Burgess for the most part had support of the crowd, which cheered more loudly in opposition to health care reform than in favor of it. The crowd also responded when Burgess asked for courtesy and respect toward speakers at the mike, whether they spoke in favor of or against the health care initiative. There was a significant police presence, which helped with parking and traffic congestion around the Center for Visual Arts in Denton. In anticipation of a big crowd, 400 seats were set up inside and approximately 200 people were inside standing, according to estimates. Approximately 1,000 gathered outside, some in the sun and some in the shade to listen and share their opinions.

Burgess’s power is admittedly limited as a Republican in Congress where the leadership positions are held by Democrats. But he has key assignments in the House Energy and Commerce Committee and its three subcommittees, Health, Energy & Environment and Oversight & Investigations. He was introduced to the crowd by Denton Mayor Burroughs, who praised Burgess as a man serving in Congress for the right reasons. Burgess had the lectern set up outside, with an audio system and speakers that made it possible for the congressman and his questioners to be heard both inside and outside the building. The event, slated for an hour, lasted an hour and a half. Burgess contrasted it to town hall meetings in recent years that tended to be quiet affairs with a dozen to a score of interested people, quietly gathering to discuss the issues in Washington.

Asked why he wasn’t providing input that would make the health care bill more palatable to its conservative opponents, Burgess detailed ways in which his input has been rejected or set aside in the planning process. He added that Republicans now see the health care bill as imploding under its own weight. “One of the political calculations is that when someone is self destructing you don’t want to get between them and their weapons,” Burgess said. However, he listened with sympathy when people talked about medical problems that forced them to stay with one job because another employer would likely be unwilling to take on costs. He said that he and other Republicans with concerns about health care have drafted their own bill, which would address problems that can be realistically tackled by government, without damaging the current system. He added that those proposals have not been evaluated by the Congressional Budget Office and going forward as an alternative without funding information is not feasible.

He noted that he has offered to go through the legislation line-by-line with the President and that Committee Chair Henry Waxman has heard and politely refused his requests to help draft health care legislation that would be supported by Republicans. He noted that three key leaders in the health care initiative, Waxman, Rep. George Miller, and Rep. Pete Stark were first elected in the wake of President Richard Nixon’s resignation and have been waiting a long time to leave their mark on the nation’s health care system.

Burgess expressed hope that if the current health care initiative fails, Democrats will be willing to reach across the aisle and include Republican input in drafting health care legislation that will be acceptable to a majority of Americans. The crowd was diverse and emotional. Dorthea Laster of Denton carried a sign supporting a public option to make sure health care is affordable. As reporters Laster about her views on health care, a woman from the crowd confronted her about offering a position seeming at odds the with majority. Dr. Jimmy Laferney, vice president of medical staff affairs at Baylor Medical Center in Frisco stood near the front of the crowd to voice his support for the work Burgess is doing in Congress. He noted that too often legislation with good intent can have unintended consequences on the delivery and availability of care. He praised Burgess as a colleague who cares about fairness and will listen to constituents.


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