About 200 people today continued the debate over national health care reform during a sometimes emtional public forum at Ambridge Area High School.

U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire, D-McCandless, said he was holding the "town hall meeting" as Congress prepares in the next few weeks to vote on legislation.

When Rep. Altmire polled audience members about their feelings about President Obama's proposals, just over two-thirds of those in the school's auditorium stood to signal their opposition.

The audience questions ran the gamut, from the single-payer option and tort reform to how any member of Congress could believe he or she has a mandate from the public on heatlh care given how low their public opinion ratings are.

Louis Tarasi Jr., an attorney from Edgeworth, said a public option was crucial to ensuring affordability in health care.

Another in the crowd, Karen Reeher, of Ambridge, said people should fear any government-controlled health care.

One man, who said he served in the Marines, leapt from his seat and shouted at Rep. Altmire, "I want representatives to read the bills!"

Rep. Altmire suggested that response belonged earlier in the process when discussions had just started. He said his reluctance and that of others to sign on to earlier versions of the legislation slowed the process down and gave people like that man the opportunity to be heard.

"Let the cameras get on him," said Altmire. "That's why he came."

During the meeting, Rep. Altmire said he supports reform, provided it is the right legislation that addresses key issues. "The worst thing we can do is make the system worse," he said. "A close second is doing nothing."

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