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Here in the Tri-States residents gathered for a town hall meeting of their own.  We first told you Saturday night on KHQA's weekend news that Congressman Dave Loebsack met with residents in Ft. Madison, Iowa to answer questions and hear concerns.

While some residents entered the room with their minds made up on how they felt about the plan, others just wanted some answers.

The room at City Hall was filled to capacity, even out the doors.  Tensions were high, but somewhat calm as people tried to make sense of President Obama's healthcare reform plan.

"I just wanted to find out some information from the Congressman because I've heard a lot of conflicting reports about this healthcare bill,"said Ft. Madison resident Jim Hatfield.

"If you're insured and for some reason something happens to you, you cannot be thrown off your insurance plan. In this bill that won't happen. We want to make sure that people are not denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition," said Congressman Dave Loebsack.

"I am totally against government being involved in my private insurance and my private doctor or anything else as far as that's concerned, and I see this as a government trying to take over too much power in this country," Donnellson resident Dan Kruse said when asked if he agreed with the plan.

But for some supporters like Melissa Hobbs, she says something has to be done. After years of working in social services, she's seen too many patients fall under the cracks.

"Just because a person is low income, it doesn't make them less human or more deserving of healthcare...I want to see that the most vulnerable population in the state are protected and that services, humane based and community based services are maintained and increased," Hobbs said.

Ft. Madison resident Mike Goldman agrees. " I support it, but there needs to be questions asked. I think you have to have something public in the public interest like I said, it could be co-ops, which aren't owned by the government, but there has to be something fighting for the people."

By the way the U.S. Health Secretary says the Obama administration is open to letting consumer-owned nonprofit cooperatives sell health insurance in competition with private industry, instead of a government-run program.  Follow this link to view a copy of the healthcare plan http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.3200:

Congressman Loebsack continues his tour across the state next weekend. He'll be in Keokuk September 12th at 2pm, at the Public Library Round Room.  For more dates and times click here http://loebsack.house.gov/ConstituentServices/healthcarereform/townhalls.htm

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