Publication Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2003
Iraq, Medicare dominate town hall meeting
Iraq, Medicare dominate town hall meeting
(December 17, 2003) Three-hundred flock to Eshoo gathering
by H. Tom Nguyen
Hundreds of local residents seized the opportunity Saturday to learn more about U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo's stance on the war in Iraq and the recently passed Medicare bill.
Nearly 300 concerned local citizens packed into Palo Alto City Council chambers for a town hall meeting that revealed much about residents' national - and international - concerns
"The federal issues concern me the most right now," said Ken Fertig, a 60 year old Palo Alto resident. "I'm interested in both Medicare and the war on Iraq, and I'm here to find out more about her (Eshoo's) stance on the issues."
"This is the first time I've ever been in these council chambers," said Tom Slanger, a 68-year-old resident of Palo Alto. "But with our involvement in Iraq and an election coming, it's a critical time to stay informed."
Although a critic of the war, Eshoo supported a $65 billion appropriation in April to protect American troops and support nation-building efforts in Iraq.
However, the congresswoman voted against the most recent $87 billion appropriation in October, because she said the Bush Administration has failed to articulate a clear plan in Iraq.
"I can respect her position," said Noel Sanborg, 47, a Palo Alto native. "I was very much against the war at the outset, but now that we're in it the worst thing is to bail out and leave Iraq in chaos."
Many local residents were also concerned with the recently passed Medicare bill. Last Monday, President George W. Bush signed a bill allowing seniors prescription drug coverage under Medicare for the first time, but brought the Medicare system one step closer to privatization. Eshoo voted against the bill.
"I want to know who influenced so many in Congress on the Medicare bill," said Dan Holden, a 57-year-old resident of Mountain View. "Because our own government has forbidden its citizens from negotiating with the pharmaceutical people."
According to the congresswoman, the greatest flaw within the legislation is the lack of cost control.
"It specifically prohibits the secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate price. And price is what has driven the whole need for Medicare," said Eshoo. "For the first time in Medicare, it moves to privatization, giving huge subsidies to insurance and drug companies."
The bill will bring privatization to the Medicare system by 2010, costing the elderly more money to stay in the traditional Medicare system unless they are willing to join an HMO. For most seniors, it also raises the Part B premium -- which pays for doctors and out-of-hospital coverage -- because the bill ties individual income to monthly premiums.
"It wasn't a very well-drawn bill. There was too much money being given to the HMOs," said Ken Jue, a 48-year-old Palo Altan. "Others that I talked with in the lobby agreed and said they were disappointed in the [American Association of Retired Persons] for their endorsement of the bill."
The day wasn't entirely occupied by weighty issues. Since Eshoo is a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, one local resident wanted her to share some dish on whether UFOS actually existed.
Not surprisingly, she easily brushed off his concern.
It was also the congresswoman's 61st birthday, prompting a crowd rendition of "Happy Birthday" and a cake complete with candles.
What did she wish for when she blew out the candles on her birthday cake?
"I wished for my son to be home for Christmas. He's teaching eco-tourism in Laos right now," Eshoo said.
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