KTTC Rochester, Austin, Mason City News, Weather and SportsWalz holds town hall style meeting in Rochester

Walz holds town hall style meeting in Rochester

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ROCHESTER, MN (KTTC-DT) Lines of people from the Rochester area waited to hear Congressman Tim Walz speak at John Marshall High School Saturday.

Outside the health care reform rally, one held a sign calling President Barack Obama a "liar" while another held a sign saying "health care for all is patriotic."

"Costs are sky-rocketing, insurance companies are making lots of money on health care, but they're contributing nothing to patient care," says health care reform suppoter Greg Caucutt.

"It's socialism, and they're going to run the best health care system in the world into the ground," says Thomas Atchison, a Tea Party Patriot supporter.

Walz has recently dedicated his time to hearing from his constituents, holding several town hall style meetings across southeast Minnesota.

Inside John Marshall auditorium, Walz was met with a warm reception and addressed his naysayers almost immediately.

"It doesn't have to rip at the fabric of the country, it doesn't have to be something that is unattainable," says Rep. Tim Walz.

Walz outlined his views, saying Minnesota is an example of cost-effective health care, one that should lead the country when it comes to reform.

The public was given an opportunity to ask the Congressman questions or speak their mind.

"My concern is when we have public options because I look at medicare, and I don't understand why we don't fix the things are broken," said one audience member.

Speaking to an enthusiastic crowd of about 200, Walz was heckled at times.

Ultimately, though Walz stood his ground saying health care reform is too important to remain passive.