8th District Republican congressional candidate Joe Walsh held another health care forum on May 4th.

That was shortly after Fox News took a swipe at him.

It does not look as if the negative piece on Fox affected attendance too much.

This was the second Health Care Forum Walsh has held since winning the primary election. Incumbent Melissa Bean has never had an open-to-the-public Town Hall Meeting that constituents could attend.

Rep. Bean Ducks Walsh Health Care Forum (again); Residents Turnout for Thoughtful Policy Discussion

(Barrington, IL )–Melissa Bean may have declined Joe Walsh’s invitation, but more than a hundred concerned 8th district residents turned out for Walsh’s health care forum on Tuesday evening at the Barrington Park District Community Center.

In contrast to Rep. Bean’s controlled, closed-door, invite-only forums, Walsh’s was open to the public.

“It’s important that those who seek to hold public office make themselves available to the public they wish to serve,” said Walsh. “I hear daily from residents who are afraid of what this federal takeover of health care is going to do their insurance costs, their quality of care, and their job security.”

Walsh was joined by several experts for the discussion:

• Pediatrician Dr. Arie Friedman of Premiere Pediatrics,
• Urologist Dr. James P.  Brown of Associates in Urology Ltd. and
• Peter Fotos, Director of Government Relations at the Heartland Institute.

“I think it is important that the residents hear the facts from the people who know and understand this bill and its consequences, including those actually engaged in the practice of medicine,” said Walsh.

Both doctors gave presentations on the bill which they have, unlike many members of Congress, actually read.  “

Peter Fotos shared an insight from his inside-the-beltway experience.

“I know the girl that wrote most of this bill, I worked with her in DC.  And, I think that even she would tell you this isn’t the bill it was supposed to be,”

Fotos said.

Walsh reiterated his commitment to pursue a repeal, reform and replace of the Obamacare legislation if elected.

“This health care takeover was against the will of the people and against the will of 8th district families,” said Walsh.

“It is obvious that Rep. Bean isn’t interested in what her constituents think but I am concerned. Rep. Bean has made it clear she puts her party ahead of her district.  I will put the economic and quality of life interests of 8th district residents first.”

Walsh also noted the recent HHS report on the cost of Obamacare, noting it exposed the empty rhetoric of Rep. Bean on the issue of deficit reduction.

“Rep. Bean kept regurgitating the party talking points that the health care takover would reduce the deficit by $138 billion in the first ten years but even the administration’s own Department of Health and Human Services is now essentially saying this was a $500 billion lie,”

said Walsh.

The HHS report cited by Walsh also stated projected spending increases “could get bigger, since Medicare cuts in the law may be unrealistic and unsustainable.”

Walsh said he would be hosting more forums and he would continue inviting Melissa Bean to participate.

“I hope residents stay engaged and remember in November that when the time came to choose between her party and her district, Melissa Bean voted to serve the political interests of her party instead of the economic interests of her constituents,” said Walsh. “Voters have a crystal clear choice in this election.”