CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Sen. Jay Rockefeller sat down with several families in West Virginia Tuesday to talk about the need for health care reform.

The roundtable event was at the University of Charleston.

“Our health care system isn't working for West Virginia families. We simply cannot continue to accept the status quo - skyrocketing costs, no safety net, inadequate coverage, and insurance companies more concerned with making money and taking advantage of people than keeping them healthy and thriving," said Senator Rockefeller, Chairman of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care. "We need health care reform that means stability, security and protections -- fundamental principles that every family deserves."

The senator also took part in a much larger forum hosted by West Virginia AARP, West Virginians for Affordable Health Care and the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy.

“The stories I heard today were incredibly moving and highlight what we all know this issue is about -- our families, good neighbors, and proud fellow citizens who the system and the health insurance companies have failed and mistreated," Rockefeller said. "There are some tough choices ahead about how to fix a broken system and I know and respect that West Virginian families feel as passionately as I do. A status quo that threatens our economy and lets millions of American men, women and children fall by the wayside is unacceptable – so we have to find a way to come together and focus on lasting solutions.”