Health Care Reform and Town Hall Meetings

Town hall meetings have been apart of this country for many years and were derived from New England. These meetings are where local citizens, public figures and elected officials come together to voice opinions on current legislation. These meetings try to accommodate everyone by starting out with a short opening presentation and then the floor is opened up for comments and discussion.

One such town hall meeting that took place August 7, 2009 in Tampa, Florida regarding the current health care reform became chaotic. People were yelling at each other as well as pushing and shoving to get into the meeting room. Approximately 1500 people showed up to a meeting room that only held 250 people. Protesters outside were arguing with other groups and the media has reported that conservative lobbying groups are organizing these meetings all across the country. There are reports of arrests, fistfights and hospitalizations, resulting from these meetings and officials are concerned.

Americans are clearly upset with the current economic situation and many believe that those frustrations are coming out at these meetings and it is not just an issue with health care. Million of Americans are unemployed, on the brink of foreclosure and have lost their life savings. Health care is not necessarily their only concern right now and they are lashing out at officials in an effort to be heard.