Sen. Corker addresses economy, healthcare at town hall

Sen. Corker addresses economy, healthcare at town hall

By KRISTYN CADDELL
6 News Reporter 

HUNTSVILLE (WATE) -- Healthcare reform continues generating debate this week in legislators' town halls. But at Sen. Bob Corker's meeting in Huntsville Tuesday, the economy was also a chief concern. 

Scott County, which has many rural areas, is being hit particularly hard by the recession. Unemployment in the county reached 19.6 percent in July, the highest in the state.

"I personally believe that we do need some health care reform and health insurance reform," Corker said.

The town hall was packed with people and concerns. "So many people are coming out because they don't want the government to take it over," "Speedy" Blevins said.

Like many Scott County residents, Gayle Kennedy lost her full-time job and her insurance, too. She asked Sen. Corker for his thoughts on the connection between employment and insurance.

"Every time someone like you loses their job, they lose insurance. If we would have a refundable tax credit or vouchers, you could have owned your own policy and kept moving along," Corker said.

With a nearly 20 percent unemployment rate, jobs are virtually impossible to find in Scott County and many people are living without health insurance.

"It's hard to even get jobs at Wal-Mart and McDonalds here," Kennedy said.

Sen. Corker said he's against the public option plan for healthcare and even admits he doesn't know President Obama's plan. "He hasn't said what he wants to see happen, which is a major part of the problem."

Corker said he'll continue to focus on reality and practical solutions for a country in desperate need of healthcare reform.

Corker also held town hall meetings in Fentress and Morgan counties Tuesday. He said he feels "enlightened" after each one.

Corker will hold one more town hall meeting this week. It's Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. at Loudon High School, located at 1039 Mulberry Street.