By WILLIAM SNOWDEN

wsnowden@thewakullanews.net

U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd (D-Monticello) stopped by Sopchoppy last week to talk with about a dozen residents about local concerns.

Their main concern was probably not that different than anywhere else in the country – the number one topic of discussion was healthcare reform, and the political stagnation in Washington.

The community meeting, held on Friday afternoon, Feb. 19, was hosted by Rick and Nell Ott at their From the Heart recording studio in Sopchoppy and was organized by County Commissioner Lynn Artz.

While the primary purpose may have been to solicit the congressman's support for a couple of local pet projects – a music concert series recently undertaken by the Otts along with WFSU-TV, and the Heritage Village proposed by the Wakulla County Historical Society – the conversation was healthcare reform.

It was a far more relaxed atmosphere than last year's town hall meetings on healthcare as Boyd outlined the need for reform to the healthcare system and his reason for opposing the bill that came out of the House of Representatives – mainly, that it wasn't "budget neutral."

Sopchoppy resident Judith Harris said she was concerned about "the inability of Washington to get anything done" – to which Boyd responded that the House and Senate had both passed healthcare bills, the next step was for a conference committee to work out a compromise.

Boyd noted that there is a need for healthcare reform: the U.S., he said, spends more than any other nation on healthcare, but ranks 37th in outcome.

"Other countries have figured out a way to get everybody in the system," he said, and that remains one of the challenges facing the U.S., how to cover the uninsured.

The four main principles he supported as part of any effort at reform was that it had to reduce costs; offer basic coverage to everybody; provide choice for those who want to stay with their current insurance coverage; and pay now, rather than borrowing against the future.

The 2,000 page House bill that came out offered little, if any, reduction in costs, he said. He voted against the bill, which passed the House. The Senate bill is "pretty significantly different," he said.

Boyd quoted a congressman who spoke against the bill, who claimed to come from one of the most educated congressional districts in the nation. The House was so complex, the congressman said, "I cannot explain, nor can my constituents understand, this bill."

Longtime historical society volunteer Betty Green said she was concerned about the lack of bipartisanship in government.

Boyd said the polarization of government was a reflection of the community and the country as a whole – and blamed it largely on states gerrymandering of congressional districts to create constituencies that are almost homogeneous.

A physician in the audience, visiting Rick and Nell, said that nation's model of healthcare needed to change – there needs to be more physicians assistants and nurse-practioners treating patients.

Pat Keating, general manager of WFSU, said he was pleased that the paygo bill had been signed into law by President Obama. Boyd explained the "pay-as-you-go" legislation meant "You cannot create a new program or cut taxes unless you show how you're going to offset the cost."

The musical program created by the Otts, "From the Heart Music Hour," was filmed over two nights in January at the Monticello Opera House. The "Austin City Limits"-style show, featuring local musical acts, is to air in late March and early April on WFSU.

The Heritage Village project is currently looking at the possibility of purchasing about 20 acres in Medart to locate some historically significant local buildings. It's been proposed that the Heritage Village would include reenactors and presenters who would tell visitors about how people lived in the past.