MIDDLEBURY — 3rd District Congressman Mark Souder (R) got an earful from a standing room only crowd estimated at more than 600 people. A town hall style meeting lasted nearly 4 hours Monday, as the national debate over health care reform took center stage in Elkhart County.

The event featured a few glimpses of the fireworks that have dominated national coverage of similar town hall--mostly centered around cheering and jeering.

But, by and large, Monday's event remained civilized. It also became one of the biggest-- and loudest town hall meetings Rep. Souder says he's ever had.

From the very beginning it was clear that passions were running high.

Dozens lined up in the Northridge auditorium to sound off on a variety of topics--including tort reform, TARP funding, the federal stimulus, and even ACORN.

But, at least 75% of the questions and comments revolved around health care.

"For me, this is a moral issue," said one person. "How can we ignore our fellow man?"

"This plan does not work. It needs to be totally scrapped," said another.

"Until we have health care that covers everyone, we're all losing out," said a third.

"This administration is leading us down the socialist trail," said another, eliciting a chorus of applause.

It was the see-saw debate that stretched well into the night.

It's a debate Souder said he's already had.

"This is more of a listening session than a traditional town hall meeting," he told WSBT. "Mostly, this is to let people express themselves on one of the biggest potential government takeovers of a category that we've ever had in the U.S."

When asked if anything he heard at the town hall meetings might change his position on this bill before Congress, Souder didn't hesitate.

"No," he replied.

For him, the debate came down to a single question.

"Should there be a public, or non-governmental option, and should the federal government dictate a minimum standard to private insurance? That is the public-private competition. And, I'm not going to change on that," Souder said.

But, that didn't stop some from trying to change his mind--at least until their voices were periodically drowned out, by what turned out to be a crowd heavily against the reform bill now before Congress.

Their concerns ran the gamut.

"They don't do well with what they have. They haven't done well with Medicare, which is one reason why we have a problem today. We need to trash it, and start over," said Linda Baxley of Bristol.

"I have a big concern about the abortion issue. And, I'm opposed to a lot of the bill. I'm just concerned it's all moving way too fast," said Mari Bowers of Middlebury.

Souder says it's the same slant he heard at town hall events in Fort Wayne and Warsaw over the weekend.

"There was 1,300 people in Fort Wayne, and I would say the crowd was 2 or 3 to 1 against it. The crowd in Warsaw was probably 500 people, and they were 9 to 1 against it," Souder said.

"In the last election, it was the liberal side where intensity was high. They were upset about the war and the economy. They were upset at President Bush. So, they turned out in big numbers and pulled the independents with them. Right now, it seems to be the right that's upset. And, they're pulling the middle in their direction," Souder continued.

He believes there's one reason why the voices were skewed to one side during the debate.

"Most people who are here don't believe it's just about health care. They believe it's the tip of the iceberg about spending and government control," Souder said.

But, some called Souder's "listening session" something else.

"It's propaganda," said Kalaine Fields of Goshen. "I think he's only listening to the people he wants to. Sure, he can have an opinion. But, this is not a place where he's talking to people about the issues and the decisions we have to make. Because, these are hard decisions. He's just saying--this is how bad it is, and I have no other answer for you. That's what I've heard."

Fields and several others at the meeting expressed frustration at the reception from some in the crowd, and--for that matter--from Souder.

"I think it was a waste of my time to speak, yes," she said.

Still, for all the arguments and grumbling from both sides, Elkhart County Police officers stationed in the back of the Northridge auditorium never once had to leave their posts. Shouting matches that have erupted in other town halls across the country were nowhere to be found.

And, at the end of the meeting, there was one thing both sides did seem to agree on.

“[I think it's productive to have these discussions,] oh yeah," said Tony Clouse of Goshen. "I think it's the American way."

If you didn't get a chance to be a part of Monday's debate there are still two more chances for you to weigh in. But, this time they'll be by phone. Rep. Souder is calling them "Tele-Town Halls."

The first will be held September 9th. The second is scheduled for September 15th. Both telephone events will begin at 7pm. To become involved, call (574) 533-5802.

Congress heads back to Washington, D.C. later this week. Debate over the health care reform bill is expected to ramp up again next week.