DAVENPORT - The Quad-Cities got a dose of the health-care reform debate today, as more than 200 people turned out for a boisterous town hall meeting at Scott Community College with U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa.

Although there was plenty of back and forth between participants, some interruptions, cheers and even some derisive laughter, there appeared to be no incidents.

A pair of sheriff's deputies were on hand for the event.

Critics of the Democratic health-care plans said they didn't trust the government to do the job right, while others said the current system is unsustainable.

Others said things are moving too fast.

"Can't you guys just slow up a little," said Gerry Thronson, of Davenport. She added Congress should tackle tort reform first.

Judy Davidson, chairwoman of the Scott County Republican Party, also challenged Harkin to join a government-run health care plan if it's included in an overhaul.

Harkin said he wouldn't guarantee it. He said he would shop around for the insurance coverage that best fit him.

Joe Gross, of rural Donahue, attended the forum and said his premiums are going up rapidly.

"We have to have a change," he said.

Harkin tried to drill home the idea that the current system is unsustainable and that people wouldn't have to change their health insurance plans if they didn't want to under a reform bill.

On several occasions, he was challenged by people in the crowd.

The senator also touted the parts of a bill passed by a Senate committee that encourage wellness and preventive care.

Before holding the town hall forum, Harkin visited with students in the college's nursing program. And he shrugged off the idea that town hall meetings he's held thus far have gotten out of hand.

A forum in Des Moines over the weekend also generated some heat.

"You always get one or two that want to disrupt something, but that's such a small sliver of our society," Harkin said before today's town hall. "The vast majority of people who come to these meetings, I think, just want to know what we're doing, how it's going, what they can plan on, those kinds of things, which is legitimate."

He said didn't think the criticisms taking place at the meetings would derail a reform package.

He said he thinks Congress will get a bill to President Barack Obama by Christmas.