McClatchy Washington Bureau

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ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — Amid heckling and boos Tuesday night, North Carolina held its first congressional health care forum since the issue has become a national flash point.

Congressman G. K. Butterfield was continually interrupted by jeers as he voiced support for President Barack Obama's health care plan that seems to have increasingly polarized the country in recent days. Tuesday's two-hour forum in a steamy Rocky Mount middle school gymnasium was marked by frequent sharp exchanges.

"Read it!" shouted one man, speaking of the House health care reform.

"How do you know I haven't read it?" Butterfield shot back.

He was pummeled with questions about whether the health care legislation would benefit illegal immigrants, about whether he would give up his own congressional health insurance plan, whether he would vote for something unconstitutional, and whether it would allow abortion.

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