By AP
WEST BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI – Backers and opponents of proposed health care reforms jockeyed for position before U.S. Rep. Gary Peters held a town hall meeting on the contentious issue.
The forum at West Bloomfield High School began at 6 p.m. Tuesday. A pro-reform group, Metropolitan Organizing Strategy Enabling Strength, said in an e-mail that opponents had been urged to arrive at 5 p.m. and pack the meeting.
MOSES in turn asked supporters to arrive at 4 p.m.
Television station WXYZ says a capacity crowd of 800 people filled the school auditorium. Radio station WWJ-AM says another 300 gathered outside the school during the two-hour forum.
According to WXYZ, Peters said he would only support only a bill allowing participants to keep their doctors and insurance, protect private insurance, reduce Medicare costs and be deficit neutral.