Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin will host a second town hall-style meeting on health care reform Wednesday at Hagerstown Community College’s Kepler Theater - but this time officials say it will be in a more controlled environment.
During an event Monday in Towson, Mr. Cardin had to shout his way through a 25-minute presentation, while angry constituents booed and jeered the Maryland Democrat.
For Wednesday’s event, the Washington County Sheriff’s Department and campus officials are teaming up to provide security. A spokeswoman for the community college said police and security personnel are prepared to enforce order, if necessary.
She said demonstrators must sign waivers of liability and follow the college’s demonstration policy. Signs will not be allowed inside the theater.
University officials said Monday’s event drew between 1,500 and 2,000 people to an auditorium with a 500-seat capacity. Officials said the majority of the crowd stood outside.
The crowd inside was vocal and was repeatedly asked to calm down to allow Mr. Cardin to continue. At one point, four police officers stood in front of the stage.
When the senator said funding for the bill had not been worked out yet, some attendees shouted, “Taxes!” and others shouted, “Spend, Ben, spend!”
Mr. Cardin defended the health bills, saying they would provide more choices and that there would be more people, not fewer, with insurance.
One attendee asked for an example of something that the government had taken over and provided at a cheaper cost. The senator cited the national parks system and Medicare, drawing more boos and jeers.
Mr. Cardin said Medicare is cheaper than private insurance for the elderly, adding, “your government runs it more effectively.”
He said the bill would be neutral on abortion; there would be no change from current policy.
Another attendee asked whether he would enroll in whatever bill passes. The senator began to answer twice, and each time the questioner asked him, “Yes or no?” prompting a deafening roar from the crowd.
Mr. Cardin finally said, “I turned 65 this year. I’m in a public plan. It’s called Medicare.”
Outside the meeting, protesters chanted and carried signs that read, “No socialized medicine,” “Public opinion is no option,” “Health care can’t wait” and “Health care is a right.”
The protests continued even after the meeting with people shouting on the road outside of the hall, waving flags and placards.
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