GOP Congressman Hides From Crowd Seeking Answers About Obamacare Repeal (VIDEO)
Mike Coffman Leaves Hundreds Waiting, Then Sneaks Out Back Door
While more than 100 people were waiting to meet with him, Mike Coffman sneaks out early from his own community event. #9News pic.twitter.com/NAZlXTKgQm
— Nelson Garcia (@9NewsEducation) January 14, 2017
Colorado Republican Congressman Mike Coffman allegedly refused to meet with constituents who showed up at a town hall meeting in Aurora on Saturday to ask him about the repeal of the Affordable Care Act.Â
Then, Coffman snuck out the back door of the Aurora Public Library before the event’s scheduled ending time.Â
Hundreds of people showed up for the town hall, but Coffman would only meet with four at a time, according to a report from KUSA-TV. At one point, the large crowd began chanting in the lobby and singing, “This Land Is Your Land.”
Crowd starts singing while trying to get in to see Congressman Mike Coffman in Aurora. He only agreed with people a couple at a time. #9News pic.twitter.com/bqZgj4FF6f
— Nelson Garcia (@9NewsEducation) January 14, 2017
Meanwhile, police were putting up crime scene tape to create a perimeter outside so Coffman could leave without being noticed by those waiting to see him (video at top). Â
Those who showed up for the meeting included Berthie Ruoff, who’s among the 20 million Americans who would lose their health insurance if the ACA is repealed without a replacement.Â
“I’ve had a preexisting condition. I’ve had breast cancer. What’s going to happen to me?” Ruoff told KUSA. “My spouse who had health insurance passed away. What do I do? You know, what am I supposed to do?”
Another Aurora resident, Stephanie Brook Chavez, told the station: “We were told at one point everyone would get their time and then he sneaks out six minutes early. I think he couldn’t handle it.”Â
In a statement, Coffman’s chief of staff Ben Stein denied the event was supposed to be a town hall.Â
“Rep. Mike Coffman routinely hosts constituent one on one meetings across the district,” Stein said. “Constituents are invited to meet individually with the congressman to express their opinions, seek help with a range of issues, and discuss legislation. Given the volume of people who came, the Congressman met with four people at a time for five minutes each for a total of more than 70 constituents.”
A few reactions from Twitter:Â
Coward. https://t.co/MGzOzZhmuN
— Zack Ford (@ZackFord) January 15, 2017
This is how repeal gets prevented https://t.co/6iAMgxndo0
— David Beard (@dwbeard) January 15, 2017
This is just WOW. Constituents should confront their members about ACA replacement plans at every single town hall. https://t.co/kb0MgcG0JP
— igorvolsky (@igorvolsky) January 15, 2017
Note the yellow tape “Crime scene do not cross” – indeed https://t.co/0aEZXj6um9
— Joe Sudbay (@JoeSudbay) January 15, 2017
@coolneedsdad @Momblastic @9NewsEducation They should all be afraid. Very afraid. We will not give up. We will #Resist
— UnBelizable (@un_belizable) January 15, 2017

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