Las Vegas NowRep. Titus Battles Tough Crowd at Health Care Forum

Rep. Titus Battles Tough Crowd at Health Care Forum

As Congress considers health care reform, Representative Dina Titus considers what's on the minds of her constituents. The freshman Democrat represents what will be one of the most hotly contested districts in 2010. Monday night, she tackled a topic that's put Democrats in the crosshairs of voter anger: health care reform.

Titus held a town hall meeting at Temple Ner Tamid near Valle Verde and I-215.

Before the event, Eyewitness News got reaction from voters about a poll taken by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. It says Americans have conflicting views on whether a health care overhaul will help, hurt, or leave things the same.

"I'm petrified honestly. I really am. Some of my friends think I'm going a little overboard, but they're not dealing with an illness they've had all their life," said Eileen High.

Eileen has worries about losing her current health care insurance. She has type 1 diabetes. The poll says one-third of Americans feel the same. "It's going to create a monster that's going to be a runaway freight train that people aren't going to realize what hit them until it's too late," said Bob Sulliman.

Karen Benzer has multiple sclerosis. One day, she hopes to walk again and firmly believes President Obama's health care initiative will help her achieve that. "I absolutely believe it and also my son has autism and I think that's another one that will be definitely beneficial for him to have stem cells as well," she said.

Another report by Families USA says more than 61,000 residents of Nevada lost health insurance January 2009 through August 2009. "I believe that we have to make insurance available by being able to cross over state lines. I believe that would create the competition that we need," said registered nurse Tammy Wood.

Cost is also big factor. "This bill is going to increase the cost of health care. Premiums are going to go up and it doesn't even solve the problem," said family physician Dr. William Von Tobel.

Back inside, 75-year-old Sandra Wald is particularly concerned. "As you get older, your body falls apart. I am gravely concerned about universal health care. I for one do not want it," she said.

Titus faced a mixture of applause and outbursts from the crowed as she took questions written down be the audience. "I think there needs to be changes. I am concerned about preexisting conditions. I think there are a lot of things we can do to make health care more affordable and keep the positive things about our system in tact," said Wood.