Several hundred people gathered in Moraine Tuesday night. The hotly debated issue at hand: healthcare reform.
Virginia Hess is a freelance artist who has private insurance, and says the issue of healthcare reform is cause for concern.
"I'm totally happy with my insurance and with my doctors. I don't want to have to stand in line or wait to hear from the bureaucracy to see if they'll take care of me."
Hess was one of many who showed up for this town hall meeting, eager to learn and eager to express their concerns.
"I feel its too expensive, it's government encroachment to our lives. I don't agree with that, " said Rob Scott President of the Dayton Tea Party.
The panel features a variety of health care experts, including President and CEO of the Greater Dayton Hospital Association Bryan Bucklew, "there are parts that we are supportive of, and there are parts that we are not supportive of."
Bucklew said healthcare reform is a complicated issue, which is why he agreed to take part in this discussion. He said it's important for all views and perspectives to be shared.
One perspective being voiced just outside was that of protestors supporting the President's plan.
"The healthcare costs in this country are rising so much faster than anything else, so much faster than wages. It's not sustainable for the future of our country," says Lynn Buffington, a member of the healthcare community.
Buffington said now more than ever a change is needed, "for the future of our country, something has to be changed with the economics of healthcare and many aspects of healthcare reform legislation will do that."
Protestors were invited to join the forum inside, and many of them did in fact join.
The forum was hosted by the Dayton Tea Party, a grassroots and non-partisan group that says it is opposed to wasteful government spending.
Many of those protesting outside were associated with Doctors for America, a group that supports passing legislation for quality healthcare for everyone.
