House GOPer live-tweets health reform tele-town hall

Members of Illinois Republican Rep. Judy Biggert’s staff on Thursday made up for an extended absence from Twitter by live-tweeting a health reform tele-town hall she held with senior citizens.

The live-tweet underscores the expanded interest in congressmen’s once under-the-radar recess meetings. The salience of healthcare reform has spurred record audiences at town meetings; one congressman even moved his event to a baseball stadium.

The large and often contentious audiences have attracted the attention of the national news media, with some cable news outlets broadcasting the events live.

Biggert’s staff tweeted questions from call-in participants and included Biggert’s replies. Highlights are below:

Hi everyone – sorry about tweet-silence this busy week! We’ll be doing a healthcare tele-townhall with seniors soon, staff will tweet it.

Caller concerned about seniors, end of life decisions. Judy says it’s her job to make sure these concerns are heard in DC.

Caller says issue of uninsured illegals has never been addressed

Judy: Illegals (9.7 million) not adressed by bill right now. 13-16 million Americans actually uninsured.

Poll results! Over 1000 on call, responding: 14% for bill, 69% against, 17% don’t know or want more information.

Caller worries medical decisions will be made by statistics, will lead to govt rationing.

Judy says bill is “too much government for me.” Now moving to last caller, who starts by saying she is “dead-set against this bill”

Judging from the tweets, the participants seem to resemble some other town hall audiences across the country that have expressed deep concern with and strongly oppose the health reform bill.

Biggert’s staff tweeted that “questions asked by callers selected at random.”