Hoekstra hosts town hall on health care

HUDSONVILLE, Mich (WOOD) - Congressman Pete Hoekstra is working to rekindle the health care debate.

Hoekstra engaged constituents Saturday morning during another town hall meeting in Hudsonville.

The numbers were not as large as previous town halls hosted by Hoekstra. Around 150 people were in attendance at Hudsonville's Fair Haven Ministries. It underscored a major point made by the 2nd Congressional District Representative; the momentum carried in town halls during the summer months appears to be fading for the voice opposed to the government's health care reform plan.

Loyal constituents were asking what they can do on a grass roots level to rekindle a fiery debate.

"I see some of my compatriots from the tea party. How do we make them know that we are against this? Help us rally from the grass roots," said one person at the meeting.

Hoekstra encouraged the opposition to gather, call and organize. Assuring them that he, at least, would never give up.

"My position is clear. I am opposed to what's coming out of this legislation," said Hoekstra.

Hoekstra agrees reform in the health care system is needed, but favors slowing down, and breaking down issues like the uninsured, and pre-existing conditions into individual solutions.

"Let's target and fix the broken pieces, and leave the pieces that are working.. leave them alone."

Many of the questions Hoekstra's heard before.

"Wouldn't it be wise for you and your colleges to begin to refer to it as the socialized health care plan," asked one person.

Hoekstra made it clear he believes the federal government is grasping for too much control. Taking time to underscore a movement toward putting more monetary control back in the hands of states.

"I don't want the federal government to run health care. I'd rather have 50 states experimenting on how best to deliver health care."

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Representative Peter Hoekstra