Dingell responds to tumultuous town hall

Police had to escort the father of a man with cerebral palsy out of Rep. John Dingell’s (D-Mich.) town hall last night after the man confronted the Congressman and shouted him down.

Today, Dingell released a statement citing the “passionate” nature of the debate and offering the man a one-on-one meeting. So far, the constituent has declined.

“I also was confronted by the father of a young man afflicted with cerebral palsy last night. He was under the impression that health reform legislation being considered in Congress would exclude care for his son’s condition. Unfortunately, he would not allow me an opportunity to respond to his concern. I’m sorry that Romulus Police had to escort them out, but he left officers no choice. We had 200 people in the hall, more than 200 people outside, and we could not let one person take over that meeting. My staff did offer the gentlemen a one-on-one meeting in my office, which is a more appropriate forum for a lengthy discussion about how the bill affects one person, but he refused. The offer still stands. Because there were so many people there, we actually did a second town hall and I am glad that we had to accommodate so many people, however, I am sorry for those who came sincerely wanting to know more about the bill but whose voices could not be heard over the protesters.”

Watch video of the original encounter here.

Dingell’s full statement is after the jump.

Congressman Dingell on Last Night’s Health Care Town Hall in Romulus

“Last night I had a great opportunity to discuss the very important issue of health care reform with the great people of the 15th District.

“Health care reform is the greatest legislative proposal of the current generation. I believe that health care is a right for each and every American. I further believe that it will positively impact their lives by providing real security and driving down health care costs for individuals and businesses, and providing real access to quality, affordable care for the tens of millions of Americans to whom regular access to health care has exceeded their grasp. Health care reform carries the promise of the great legislative accomplishments of previous generations, like the creation of Medicare and Medicaid, or the passage of Civil Rights legislation.

“And just like the passion that led to those historic victories for our country, this debate also is full of passion. This passion was on full display last evening. I respect and appreciate all of the opinions I heard last night. I heard from constituents who desperately wanted a plan that will cover them. Marcia Boehm, an educator who is not covered by her employer, shared with me and with the crowd the struggles she faced. And she stated plainly that she was no less entitled to health care coverage than anyone else in that crowd. It was an important message and though she was met with both cheers and boos, it was critical that she delivered it.

“I also was confronted by the father of a young man afflicted with cerebral palsy last night. He was under the impression that health reform legislation being considered in Congress would exclude care for his son’s condition. Unfortunately, he would not allow me an opportunity to respond to his concern. I’m sorry that Romulus Police had to escort them out, but he left officers no choice. We had 200 people in the hall, more than 200 people outside, and we could not let one person take over that meeting. My staff did offer the gentlemen a one-on-one meeting in my office, which is a more appropriate forum for a lengthy discussion about how the bill affects one person, but he refused. The offer still stands. Because there were so many people there, we actually did a second town hall and I am glad that we had to accommodate so many people, however, I am sorry for those who came sincerely wanting to know more about the bill but whose voices could not be heard over the protesters.

“I am eager to talk about the bill with anyone who wants to discuss it. That doesn’t open the door to everyone who wants to demagogue the discussion. We want to talk about what’s in the bill.

“H.R. 3200 will ensure that this same young man, and indeed all Americans, will have real choices for appropriate care. No longer will an insurance company be allowed to deny people coverage based on their condition, nor will they be able to charge folks a higher premium because of their condition. Additionally, all health plans will be required to cover a minimum level of benefits. No longer will health insurers be allowed to charge more but offer bare benefits. Every plan will be required to cover many of the treatments he would seek.

“I have served in Congress and I have seen enough in my lifetime to know that the cause before us is too vital, too necessary and too timely to allow it to fail. I remember many times in my career and in my life when powerful forces tried to stop progress. We cannot let this happen and we cannot allow this opportunity to go by without providing that each and every American has health care. As long as I have a vote, I will not let shouting, intimidation or misinformation deter me from fighting for this cause and I will continue to make case to the people of Michigan’s 15th Congressional District.”