Coburn Holds Town Hall Meetings In Broken Arrow & Jenks

By Emory Bryan, The News On 6

UNDATED - Oklahomans get their say at town hall meetings with members of Congress.  Senator Tom Coburn met with constituents in Broken Arrow on Friday morning and in Jenks on Friday evening.

There hasn't been the kind of rowdy crowds around Oklahoma as in other states, but there has been plenty of emotion in the discussion of health care reform

A packed house waited for Senator Tom Coburn in Broken Arrow.  In fact, so packed the senator decided to move to a larger room just up the street.  Once the hundreds of people reassembled, it was sitting room only on a gymnasium floor.

8/13/2009 Related story: Tulsa Supporter Of Health Care Reform Speak Out

While there were a few people showing support for the Democrats' healthcare plan, most people didn't like what they've heard about it.

"What can we do to stop this movement towards a Socialist style control of our lives?" asked one man.

Senator Coburn left no doubt that he doesn't like it either.

"Access to a waiting line is not access to care," said Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn, MD.

Even though Coburn is one of the few physicians in the Congress, as a Republican in the Senate, he admits he's doesn't have influence yet on the Democrats' legislation.  He has come up with his own plan that provides for universal health insurance, at what he says would be a much lower cost.

"My plan isn't perfect, but it's better than what we have now and a whole lot better than what we're hearing from the other side," said Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn.

Coburn answered questions for an hour and in one case, defended President Obama.

"Where is our judicial system in that they allow him to tread on the Constitution as if it isn't even there?" asked one man.

"We need to be holding Congress accountable, not the president, the president is elected for four years and the Congress is elected to hold him in check," said Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn.

Coburn was critical of the current healthcare and stimulus plans, and the audience for the most part, agreed with him.

"You cannot borrow your way out of debt and spend your way into prosperity and that's what's been happening," said Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn. 

Schedule Of Town Meetings