During a town hall in Dubuque, Iowa, on Monday, Rep. Rod Blum (R-IA) faced a rowdy crowd of constituents concerned about the House bill to repeal and replace Obamacare.
Blum was met with boos, shouts, and cheers from the crowd of about 1,000 people as he answered questions about health care and other issues, according to the Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier.
He told one audience member that the American Health Care Act “is not law yet” and noted that the Senate will likely make changes, according to the Huffington Post.
One attendee complained to Blum that the House rushed the bill to a vote and claimed that Blum’s office said that the congressman did not read the full bill before voting, per the Huffington Post.
“You voted for this bill in a rush. There were no committee hearings. This is my life,” she said, according to the Huffington Post. “The Congressional Budget Office didn’t score this bill … what was the rush?”
“I have always said the process was bad,” Blum replied, per the Huffington Post. “It was rushed. There should have been hearings.”
Blum also claimed that “nothing changes” in the AHCA for Medicaid, Medicare, and individual market plans as long as there is no lapse in coverage, according to the Courier. However, the bill slashes federal funding to the Medicaid program.
Before Blum faced constituents at the rowdy town hall, he walked out of a contentious interview with a local television station, KCRG-TV9.
Reporter Josh Scheinblum asked Blum why his office screened town hall attendees to ensure that they live in the district. Scheinblum asked if all Iowans should be able to attend.
“I don’t represent all Iowans — I represent the First District of Iowa,” Blum replied.
“Would you still take donations from a Republican in Iowa City?” Scheinblum asked in response.
At that point, Blum stood up to leave the interview.
“This is ridiculous. This is ridiculous,” Blum said. “He’s going to sit here and just badger me.”
