Crowd urges Rep. Skelton to discuss health care

JEFFERSON CITY — About 100 people gathered outside Rep. Ike Skelton's office in Missouri's capital city to voice concerns about federal health care legislation.

Neither the 17-term Democratic congressman nor his staff were present at the Wednesday evening event, organized by the group Americans for Prosperity and others unhappy that Skelton hasn't held public meetings about health care.

Participants took turns speaking into a microphone and camera with questions about health care proposals being considered in Congress. Organizers said they planned to send recordings of the event to Skelton.

A Skelton spokeswoman did not immediately return an e-mail Wednesday night seeking comment. Phones at his Washington, D.C., office were unanswered.

Skelton has been confronted about health care at least twice recently during events in his west-central Missouri district, telling demonstrators he dislikes parts of the proposed reforms.