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Rep. Burton takes it to the people with town hall meet at Flint Springs

Sylvia Kaufman (front right) of Huntington, makes her feelings known with her sign as she listens to Tep. Dan Burton discuss healthcare reform at a town hall meeting at Flint Springs Elementary School on Thursday, Aug. 27.
Sylvia Kaufman (front right) of Huntington, makes her feelings known with her sign as she listens to Tep. Dan Burton discuss healthcare reform at a town hall meeting at Flint Springs Elementary School on Thursday, Aug. 27. Photo by Matt Murphy.

Health care reform was the topic of a town hall meeting hosted by Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.) at Flint Springs Elementary School on Thursday, Aug. 27.

Burton discussed his disagreements with H.R. 3200, the so-called "universal health care bill," while citizens on both sides of the issue fervently expressed their opinions on reforming the nation's current health care system.

"The for-profit system is what the greatest country in the world is built on," Burton said.

Burton said that there are numerous problems with having a universal system, citing the enormous cost in the face of an already $9 trillion deficit, and that cancer survival rates are much higher in the United States versus Canada, England and all European countries combined.

Instead, Burton voiced his support in favor of a different bill, H.R. 3400, which would allow individuals to shop for insurance across state lines for lower rates, would enhance consumer protections such as a ban on insurance denial for pre-existing conditions, offer a refundable tax credit on a sliding scale for low-income individuals who purchase coverage and would keep current pre-tax benefits intact.

Several citizens voiced their opinion in support of a single-payer system, however. In addition, many had questions about both proposed bills.

Andrea Johnston, a local college student, said that despite working three jobs, she is unable to afford comprehensive insurance. She asked who would regulate insurance when individuals shop across state lines, such as in H.R. 3400.

Burton said that in each state, regulators exist who watch insurance rates, and those regulators would still exist to watch prices.

Burton's views on health care reform are online at burton. house.gov/issues/health-care. To contact Burton, call his main office in Washington, D.C., at 202-225-2276, or by mail at 2308 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C., 20515-0001. Burton's district office in Marion can be reached by calling 765-662-6770, or by mail at 209 S. Washington St., Marion, IN, 46952-3803.