Berkley holds friendly health forum

No shouting. No nasty names.

This is a health care town hall meeting?

Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., on Saturday held the friendly forum at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

"I want to hear your questions and be able to answer to the best of my ability," Berkley told an audience of about 100 people in the student union theater, which had more empty than full seats.

People in the audience wrote questions on cards submitted to moderator Mitch Fox, who read them to Berkley.

Andrea Avruskin, 39, asked whether the public option would bankrupt the government or overburden the nation's medical providers with new patients. There are an estimated 24 million to 42 million uninsured in the country.

"We don't anticipate there will be a huge demand," Berkley said. "It is an attempt to cover all Americans, as many Americans as we possibly can, and do it in an affordable way."

Avruskin, who complimented Berkley, said she thought the congresswoman answered her question.

John Rhodes, 48, of Las Vegas, said he thought the forum was too controlled.

"I felt that they screened the questions that were presented," said Rhodes, a former doctor who said he submitted four questions on three cards, none of which was asked.

"I didn't think it was a true public forum, because they didn't allow the public to speak," he said.

Rhodes says he is a conservative and not a supporter of health care reform.

"I don't think it is the government's obligation to make sure every American gets the same level of health care," he said.

Jack Zunino, 61, wanted to know how illegal immigrants affect the health care system and how, or whether, the proposed health legislation would address the issue.

"There is no doubt we have a serious issue. There is no doubt it impacts on the emergency rooms." Berkley said. "This legislation does not cover illegal aliens."

Berkley went on to say illegal immigrant care is contributing to high health care costs and needs to be addressed, perhaps in immigration legislation next year.

Joseph Maridon, 67, of Las Vegas, wanted to know how the legislation would affect costs for medical devices, such as hearing aids or oxygen tanks.

Berkley said there should be a higher reimbursement rate for such devices than what is in the current version of the legislation.

"I am among the group of congresspeople trying to ensure that doesn't happen," she said of potential device cost increases.

Robert Bishop asked Berkley about tort reform proposals. One of the criticisms of proposed health care reform legislation is that it doesn't include strong enough measures to limit damages juries can award for medical malpractice.

Berkley turned to her husband, Larry Lehrner, a doctor, who was sitting in the front row.

He confirmed her statement that tort reform in Nevada reduced his malpractice insurance costs by $5,000 per year.

Berkley said when she sought to cooperate with tort reform measures for the federal legislation, she couldn't get confirmation it would help doctors.

The event was scheduled for an hour, and Berkley spoke for the first 30 minutes before the polite question-and-answer session.

Another audience member asked whether Berkley would push to ensure the legislation includes a government-run insurance plan as an alternative to insurance through private companies, also called a public option.

"I am in favor of health care reform. What it turns out to be I cannot tell you," Berkley said. "If there is a public option, I will vote for it."

She continued, "If there is a trigger, I will vote for that," in reference to compromise proposals that would hold off on a public option until certain criteria are met.

Berkley said she thinks the House of Representatives could have a bill on the floor soon and that President Barack Obama wants a proposal on his desk before Congress goes on holiday recess.

Contact reporter Benjamin Spillman at bspillman@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3861.