While Joyce talks ACA, Trump, telephone town hall leaves Democrats sour

Star Beacon (Ashtabula, OH)

March 01--Democrats in the 14th Congressional District said they were not pleased with Rep. David Joyce's telephone town hall Monday evening -- while some reported they weren't able to participate or never got the invitation call.

Joyce, participating in the call from the Capitol, took a total of six questions on topics ranging from the Affordable Care Act to support for the Great Lakes to President Donald Trump's alleged ties to Russia.

Early on, he acknowledged those who end up with "hurt feelings" after each election cycle -- but prioritized a return to "rebuilding military first, reforming tax code and ending deficits."

Joyce said House Speaker Paul Ryan weeks ago outlined initial broad strokes toward replacing the Affordable Care Act. He said a full plan is expected in the coming weeks, but added he has "serious concerns."

The current proposal would reduce the tax-free status on employer-based health plans -- which benefit about half the country's workers -- to pay for an ACA replacement, Dino DiSanto, Joyce's chief of staff, said Tuesday. Instead, Joyce seeks ACA reform.

Joyce called Monday for health care plans to accept pre-existing conditions and children of beneficiaries, up to age 26. Joyce also wants more competition in the health marketplace as many Ohio counties offered about half as many carriers last year than in 2014.

An Andover resident asked about the future of the federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative -- which has funneled $300 million to combat algal blooms or invasive Asian carp -- citing concern over Trump's controversial EPA director appointment.

Joyce said he prioritized protecting the region's $7 billion fishing industry, and resolved to keep GLRI funding level through his seat on the House Appropriations Committee.

Another participant expressed concern that Trump seems "cozy" with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, while "disregarding and rattling" American allies. Joyce stressed anxiety over a new executive branch is natural.

"I don't agree with everything our president says and I don't agree with everything our last president says -- but both Republicans and Democrats have the (nation's) best interests at heart," Joyce replied.

Joyce also polled the audience twice: Should Congress repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (57 percent) or leave it alone (43 percent)? And, do you approve of President Trump's administration thus far? Yes? (54 percent) or No? (46 percent).

The number of those who actually participated in the polls was not available Tuesday.

Kathy Goshe, a Democrat from Macedonia -- who prepared a pointed, but skipped, question about Trump's supposed Russian ties and Republicans' recent vote to leave the president's tax returns sealed -- said Tuesday many of Joyce's responses sounded wooden and rehearsed.

"It was the poorest excuse for a town hall meeting. And I refuse to call it a town hall meeting." she said. "They were very canned answers. If he didn't have a script he had it memorized. He kept repeating the same phrases over and over again."

DiSanto said no legislator speaks publicly without first briefing themselves on the relevant issues or anticipated discussions.

"He's got talking points for everything," he said Tuesday. "Some people you just can't make happy no matter what you do. We continue to promote that no matter what side of the issue they are on -- in the end, Dave answered a whole bunch of questions last night and people were interested."

Ashtabula's Republican congressman drew almost 6,200 listeners for the half-hour open question and answer period, and many more only dropped in briefly, DiSanto said.

Constituents who registered their information, including phone number, with Joyce's office -- about 700 people, DiSanto said -- were supposed to receive a call when the town hall got underway, just after 6 p.m. Monday. The outside vendor running the teleconference also sent out about 50,000 more calls to 14th District households, he said.

But some, including Democrats Jeff Dean of Painesville, Linda Whipple of Madison and Angie Simone of Mentor, said they weren't called, or were quickly disconnected. Whipple claimed her call dropped out, and she couldn't reach the call back number provided.

Simone, who helped organize a Feb. 21 rally outside Joyce's Painesville offices criticizing his lack of in-person town halls, and rally-goer Dean weren't invited.

"In his profile, he states that he is dedicated to his community," Simone said Tuesday. "Why is he not available to us consistently? We are peaceful and we are kind and we are the majority and we want to be heard.

"I have to put in a reminder that we pay him for his role, also -- he works for us."

DiSanto said the robo-call process isn't glitch-free, and some registrants who don't live in the district or didn't provide complete information were dropped from the call list. He encouraged those who couldn't join the town hall to contact the congressman's office.

The Democrats who commented were responding to a post made Tuesday to the Star Beacon Facebook page. No Republican constituents contacted the Star Beacon with comment.

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