A packed old town Napa church became ground zero Monday evening when a chaotic meeting about health care reform drew some 500 community members and a panel of VIP speakers including Rep. Mike Thompson, D- St. Helena.

The event attracted audience members with varying political viewpoints and party affiliations, with some bursting into verbal attacks at panel members.

Individual shouts of “This is America,” and “What’s wrong with profit?” emerged from a seated crowd in response to remarks panel member and Napa County Health and Human Services Director Randy Snowden made about the overall rise in health care costs since the industry abandoned its nonprofit roots about 30 years ago.

Another shout out of “What are the illegals costing us?” prompted little response from panel members, who answered pre-selected questions from citizens largely about how the legislation would work and be paid for. Moderators, meanwhile, attempted to quiet the crowd.

At the discussion’s center was federal health care legislation known as H.R. 3200 — a measure largely supported by House Democrats and known as America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009. The bill’s proponents say the legislation would provide most Americans with affordable health care coverage. Its opponents counter that the bill is expensive and would unfairly draw upon raised taxes for America’s wealthiest residents. 

This is not the first time such outbursts have taken place, as town hall meetings across the country are being disrupted by such actions.

Click here to see the politico.com article about some recent events.

In addition to Thompson and Snowden, panel members also included representatives from the Napa County Children’s Health Initiative, Clinic Ole and St. Joseph Health System. Sponsoring the event was a nonprofit group called the Community Health Care Outreach and Reform Project.

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