The views being expressed about the Affordable Care Act differed greatly Friday, depending on where you were in relation to the Gaston County Courthouse. Inside, during a U.S. congressional hearing, Republican lawmakers derided the effects of Obamacare and heard testimony from five pre-approved witnesses who did the same. Joel Long, who owns GSM Services in Gastonia, testified that the health care mandate will bog down his business’ growth.
“They’re only wanting to hear about problems,” said Gary McConnell of Lincolnton. “They’re not wanting to hear about people the health care law is working for.” Overflow seating for upward of 200 people was required for the hearing, which brought two Republican members of the House Oversight committee to Gastonia. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., was joined by Rep. Patrick McHenry, who represents Gaston County in the 10th U.S. House District.
Rep. Robert Pittenger, R-Charlotte, was invited to join and ask questions of the witnesses, based on ongoing complaints he said he’s received about Obamacare. The hearing was held to hear from residents and business owners who say they will see increased insurance premiums and reduced choice as a result of the health care legislation in North Carolina. McHenry categorized the overhaul as a plan gone wrong.
“There are some people who are benefiting from the law,” he said. “But by and large, most people are feeling the pain as a result of it.” No Democratic committee members attended Friday’s hearing. The ranking Democrat said doing so would have been fruitless, as House Republicans have made it clear they have no interest in improving the Healthcare.gov website.
“Rather than engaging in a destructive political exercise with the ultimate goal of tearing down the Affordable Care Act, promoting misinformation, and eliminating health insurance for tens of millions of people, the committee should support constructive efforts to help educate and assist families who urgently need medical care and now have a chance to obtain it,” U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland said in a statement.
An hour before the hearing, protestors outside the courthouse stood along Marietta Street, holding signs with messages like “Stop the Sabotage” and “Because of NC policies, I am the Walking Dead.” They chastised the hearing as a “kangaroo court,” while chanting phrases such as “We didn’t get a chance to say, we support the ACA.”
Dana Wilson, of Charlotte, who grew up in Gaston County, said she sent a letter to the House Oversight Committee asking to speak during the hearing, but got no response. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1996, and said she has been unable to find an insurance company that will cover her for anything less than a premium of $1,200 per month. Wilson said she just wanted a chance to explain to the committee why Affordable Care Act will help her.
“I think it’s awful that they’re grandstanding and putting on a show,” she said. “It’s systematic sabotage and an attempt to unravel the law of the land.” Kimberley Hallas of Gastonia held a sign pointing out that 19 million people have visited healthcare.gov, and Congress needs to get to work in helping to “Just fix it!,” rather than inflaming negative emotions. She said she felt good about the message the rally sent.
“They have to know we’re not going to sit by and take it,” she said of the committee and its hearing. “We are going to call them on it. They’re going to hear from us, regardless.”
You can reach Michael Barrett at 704-869-1826 or twitter.com/GazetteMike.