03/08/2009 - Southern Indiana residents voice concerns at Saturday session with Baron Hill (New Albany Tribune)

Southern Indiana residents voice concerns at Saturday session with Baron Hill
Health care, economy dominate discussion with congressman

By TARA HETTINGER
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Janice Shumate talked through tears to a packed room at the Jeffersonville City Hall Council Chambers on Saturday afternoon as she explained her situation.

Shumate is recently unemployed. She is struggling to make ends meet, especially with a monthly health insurance bill of $1,418 for just herself.

"I'm at the government's mercy," she told Congressman Baron Hill, who stood at the front of the room.

Shumate and many others - who came to the town hall meeting and listening session hosted by Hill - had the same concerns about the rising costs of health care. They also worry about what is going to be done to help the economy come out of the recession.

Hill opened the session with a few short comments about what is being done to jump-start the economy, such as how the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will help create and save jobs, while giving 95 percent of all American workers a tax cut starting in April. He then opened the floor for more than an hour to hear everyone's concerns.

"I can't wait to talk to the president about this meeting," Hill said after the session was over.

Hill said he plans to tell President Barack Obama about how many people came out on a Saturday to voice their opinions and how so many felt change in health care should be a priority.

Hill said hearing all of that encourages him to keep pushing until something is done to solve the health care issue.

But health care wasn't the only topic. Education also was an issue for some, including a student from Jeffersonville High School. Anna Harding, 19, stood from her seat and asked Hill how exactly the stimulus money will help education.

He said most of the money set aside for education will help make college a possibility for those who can't afford it.

Hill also was questioned for his recent vote against HR 1106, the Helping Families Save their Homes Act. He said he felt that bill only helped those who made irresponsible decisions in getting a mortgage; not those who worked to save and buy a home and who are now in trouble because of the down economy.

After the meeting, many said they felt like their concerns were heard.

"Baron had someone come over and talk to me," Shumate said. "It makes it worthwhile for me to be here."

"This was awesome. It was really energized," Carol Johnson-Smith said. "I've been waiting for 15 years for people to realize how bad [the economy] is ... I think people are finally at the point where they're going to do something."

The meeting also served as an educational opportunity.

"It's not as serious as I thought it would be," Harding said. "I thought it would be a bunch of big, old guys that don't really know what's going on. Coming to this, you see it's everyday people, many that I even recognized."