UPDATE @ 5:30pm Monday
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Overall, participants in the town hall meeting on health care found it a bit heated at times but extremely helpful.

And while there was room for more than 500 people at the Joan C. Edwards Playhouse on Marshall University's campus, only about 200 showed up.

After Democratic Congressman Nick Joe Rahall explained his pro health care reform views, he took two and a half hours worth of questions and comments.

Rahall has said he will compromise and vote for a reform bill without the public option -- if other important issues are addressed.

West Virginia Congressman Nick Rahall is taking the topic head on in a Town Hall meeting on Marshall University's campus Monday afternoon.

WSAZ.com reporter Grover Tadlock reports the Playhouse on campus still has some seats left. The event is free to the public, but you needed a ticket to get in.

Congressman Rahall said he will not reject a final bill if there is no public option of health care, if other important issues are addressed.

Rahall told the crowd Medicare reform can save $500 million. Someone asked about reforming the court system in an effort to cut health care costs. Rahall said it's needed but it's not in the current bill. He expects it to be in the final version.

In a discussion with the congressman, one fixed income retiree said government costs of health care should be regulated by a board, like utilities so she's not taxed to death. Rahall said that will be addressed by Medicare reform.

Rahall said we can all cut health care costs drastically by going online to pay bills and do other paperwork.

Rahall took a question about what is getting some attention in the media -- "death panels." Rahall said the bill actually calls for end of life counseling services for seniors.

Some small business owners there say they are worried health care reform will limit their ability to shop for the best coverage. But others say they have no faith in insurance companies that raise rates.

Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for updated information.

Original story
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Congressman Nick Rahall (D-WV) plans to begin a series of town hall meetings to discuss health care Monday in Huntington.

The free event will take place at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center on the campus of Marshall University beginning at 1 p.m. Monday. You need a ticket to get in and you can pick that up between 9 and noon.

The town hall series will move to the National Guard armory in Glen Jean Tuesday, the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg Wednesday and Mullens Thursday.