BELLEFONTE — U.S. Rep. Glenn “G.T.” Thompson, R-Bellefonte, opened the doors to his Bellefonte office March 6 to hear from residents of the 5th Congressional District.
According to Mike Glazer, district representative, Thompson met with constituents of the district from about 8 a.m. to noon.
The Gazette had an opportunity to sit in during a couple of the discussions. The congressman addressed issues related to environmental policies, Second Amendment rights and health care. Visitors who attended during the Gazette’s visit asked to remain anonymous.
Perhaps the most pressing issue on the minds of 5th Congressional District constituents is the Affordable Care Act, and what the new administration is doing to repeal Obamacare.
Thompson, according to pubic voting records, voted 65 times against the Affordable Care Act. He said an initial plan has been enacted, and by the end of the week any amendments made to the document must be completed.
“The proposal should be on the House floor by maybe next week,” said Thompson. “The goal is to send it to the Senate by March 22 because they want it to be on the president’s desk by Easter. Now, something could always go off the rails and mess the timing up, but this is what we’re looking at right now.”
Thompson said the new plan is called “A Better Way” and will protect people with pre-existing conditions, keep young adults on their parents’ plan and provide universal access to quality, affordable health care.
He said the new plan includes lower costs, patients being in control and more choices.
“In the current system, people with pre-existing conditions drive up costs and drive out health care options,” said Thompson. “Our solution to this is through state innovation grants, which will offer protection for the sick, as well as lower premiums.”
Under Obamacare, he said, there are limits in place on how individuals can spend and save money on their health care. Thompson said through enhanced health saving accounts there will be more competition in the field, resulting in lower costs.
The plan also aims to bring Medicaid into the 22st century. The current system is controlled in Washington, discourages doctor participation and includes ballooning costs. Thompson said through Medicaid modernization, the country would see more efficient spending, with a safety net in place for those who are most vulnerable and greater local control for specific needs.
He also noted lower costs, more competition and more choices if a new, vibrant health insurance market was created. He said to battle a market with skyrocketing premiums and dwindling choices, a portable, monthly tax credit could be established.
“I think we have some very solid things in there that will make a huge difference in America,” said Thompson. “There’s still work to be done with it, but at least we have a start.”
Thompson also discussed the Violence Against Women Act, with some believing he would support monetary cutbacks.
“I think this measure is grossly misnamed, as it’s about preventing violence against women, men, children, the elderly or the disabled,” said Thompson. “I’ve always supported this, and I would never, every support a cut on it.”
Thompson also addressed a bill preventing mentally disabled persons, benefiting from Social Security, to legally purchase a firearm.
“This bill just wasn’t limited to people with mental illness,” said Thompson. “It was created for anyone who received Social Security disability. The law is very clear. If you are a felon, or even a veteran who came home with PTSD, you can’t purchase a gun. I think this is wrong, and there ought to be due recourse so you can get off that list. I think if you show you aren’t a threat to yourself or others, you should be able to come off that list.”
Rumor has also swirled that Thompson supported legislation that allows Pennsylvania coal companies to discharge coal waste into local waterways.
“That’s just not the case at all and is widely misreported,” he said. “I’ve been the nation’s leader in the House for conservation, forestry and watersheds. I would never do anything to put those things at risk.”
Thompson said he would continue to support legislation for clean Pennsylvania water, and noted he recently sponsored a bill to redo abandoned mine legislation in the state.
“The only way to clean up the mines is to re-mine down below where we have already mined,” said the congressman. “That’s the only way to deal with it is to re-mine it. When we do, the coal can be sold and active and passive systems can be installed to convert these waterways back to pristine trout streams. It does work. It happened at Kettle Creek.”
Thompson also addressed his absence at a Feb. 25 town hall meeting, organized by a Penn State lecturer and IST Student Government, at The Forum on the Penn State campus.
“I was notified of the event just a few days prior and I had prior commitments,” said Thompson. “We’ve been in Washington five days a week since Jan.3.”
He said he prefers to meet with folks, seated at a table, discussing issues in a respectable manner. He said large meetings do not allow everyone with questions to be addressed.
“If I put 100 people in a room, then 10 of those people may leave happy because I could talk to them,” he said. “The other 90 will leave angry, and that’s a situation that’s just counter-productive. Sitting here at a table, that’s where it’s at.”
Thompson said he is readily available and has open hours at his Bellefonte office nearly every Monday morning. He said he also encourages people to tune into his teleconference he holds on the first Tuesday of every month. The link to the teleconference call can be found at www.gtthompson.com.
“The telecommunication doesn’t replace my face-to-face talks with people,” said Thompson. “Those are still very, very important to me. In 2016, I had more than 1,000 face-to-face discussions with constituents in the districts. If that’s not making yourself available, I’m not sure what is.”
