By RANDY GRIFFITH
Barely a week after his counterpart faced a raucous crowd in nearby State College, Sen. Bob Casey will hold his town hall meeting today in Johnstown.
The public forum to discuss health-care reform legislation will take place at 2 p.m. in the Living/Learning Center at Pitt-Johnstown.
Casey does not expect the often-hostile audiences that Sen. Arlen Specter faced at his town hall meetings, including the Aug. 12 event in State College.
“We are expecting a good discussion on the challenges of our current health-care system and the need for reform,” spokeswoman Stephanie D. Zarecky said.
Across the state and nation, those opposed to President Barack Obama’s health-care reform proposals have disrupted events, heckling politicians and other supporters.
“There is more anger in America today than at any time I can remember,” Specter told the Associated Press after a recent series of meetings.
Those attending today’s event should not expect a free-for-all, Zarecky warned.
The program will begin with Casey’s talk about the bill. Several panelists will share experiences about the challenges in today’s health-care system.
“The bulk of the time will be spent taking questions from the audience,” Zarecky said.
“Audience members will be asked to write their questions on a card, and their question will be drawn at random.”
Johnstown’s event will follow another town hall meeting this morning in Lock Haven. Casey spent Wednesday discussing health-care reform with business and health-care leaders in the Danville area.
“Senator Casey has gotten a great reception at his events (Wednesday),” Zarecky said.
