CHESTERTON | Inside the Westchester Library Service Center it was standing-room only as more than 100 people packed in to hear U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky's public forum on health care reform. But outside, hundreds more expressed their opinion with chants and signs, requiring a police presence.

At times, Visclosky's own words were difficult for participants to hear due to shouts from those outside the building. Still, Visclosky said the attendance was promising and the energy refreshing.

"I'm pleased with the turnout. Too often people don't turn out for public debate, whether we're all going to agree or not," Visclosky said. "It's great to see such interest, and the apathy I saw five years ago is gone."

Speaking to those in support and in opposition to President Barack Obama's health care plan, Visclosky discussed his thoughts on the legislation.

"The first observation I would make is that we can all agree there is a serious problem with health care and access to that health care," he said. "I'm also very concerned with the financial implications of our health system. In Indiana, half of all bankruptcies are because a person in the family became very sick. No one should be losing their home because someone got sick."

He also discussed sharing the burden of paying for a health care overhaul.

"It it is worth doing, it is worth paying for. And based upon ability to pay, people should pay something," Visclosky said.

After his comments, Visclosky took about half an hour to respond to questions asked by members of the audience, some clad in shirts of health care reform support, others declaring themselves "patriots."

"Why should everyone have to pay for the 25 million people who don't have health care?" asked Richard Smith, of Munster.

Visclosky responded, "The public option is to provide an alternative to those who don't have health care insurance."

Others questioned tort reform, the portability of the plan, choice, cost, privacy issues and bureaucracy.

"Some people think if the government is involved, therefore it is bad, and on that we will have a sharp difference of opinion," said Visclosky, pointing out that other government programs, such as Social Security and Medicare, also were once thought too big to pursue.