On Sept. 17, the Arizona chapter of the Americans for Prosperity Foundation (AFPF) hosted the Flagstaff Town Hall on Health Care and Tax Issues, which was held at the Gardner Auditorium in the Fronske School of Business.

The town hall focused on the questions and concerns from those in attendance — almost all conservative — with regard to the various health care bills being passed through the United States Legislature.

Speakers at the town hall included AFPF Arizona Director Tom Jenney (above) and Byron Schlomach of the Goldwater Institute. All members of the legislature from Arizona District 2 were invited to attend. However, no legislators attended the event, and no supporters of President Barack Obama’s health care plan voiced their opinion during the event, despite the town hall being labeled as non-partisan.

Information was passed out to those in attendance regarding the details of the different bills. Following comments by Jenney and Schlomach, the floor was opened to questions from the audience.

Obama’s bill, which calls for a mandate for all Americans to receive health care insurance, includes a public option, which would be a government-run health care program to compete with private insurance companies. Republicans and moderates have also written their own bills, which do not include a public option.

Detractors of Obama’s plan, such as those who hosted the town hall, say it will be too much of a burden on taxpayers and the government will be given too much control over health care. Among their counter-proposals are to provide each person with a stipend so they can purchase their own health care insurance.

Due to the magnitude of the debate, town halls have been held across the country, often hosted by congressmen but sometimes by special interest groups.