State Senator Steve Goss said a lot of positive ideas came out of his healthcare town hall meeting that was held earlier this month in Wilkesboro. Goss said the turnout was greater than expected and that participants were a good mix of young and old, healthcare providers, and experienced users of the current healthcare system. The senator said the meeting was "exceptionally civil" and said although not everyone was on the same page, there was a thoughtful exchange of views. A few suggestions participants had for Goss were to tort reform aimed at reducing the cost of malpractice insurance, making hospitals and insurance companies send bills that can be understood by the average person, and to allow more insurance companies to compete for business within the state.