LEBANON , Pennsylvania ( CNN ) -- A hostile crowd shouted questions and made angry statements Tuesday at a town hall meeting on health care in Pennsylvania led by Democratic Sen. Arlen Specter . Sen. Arlen Specter , left , answers questions Tuesday during a forum in Lebanon , Pennsylvania . The meeting drew an overflow of about 250 people , with more gathered outside the hall to demonstrate for and against President Obama 's push to expand health insurance for 46 million people without coverage while bringing down costs . It was the latest in a series of emotional public meetings on the health care issue that have prompted Obama and Democratic leaders to complain of a campaign by opponents to drown out the debate with unruly disruptions . At one point , Specter shouted into his microphone that demonstrators disrupting the proceedings would be thrown out . `` We 're not going to tolerate any demonstrations or any booing , '' he said after one audience member shoved another making an unsolicited speech . `` So it 's up to you . '' Watch the shouting and shoving » . Many in the crowd identified themselves as conservative Republicans , with one man noting they had voted for Specter before the senator switched parties this year . One woman prompted a standing ovation by telling Specter : `` I do n't believe this is just health care . This is about the systematic dismantling of this country . ... I do n't want this country turning into Russia , turning into a socialized country . What are you going to do to restore this country back to what our founders created , according to the Constitution ? '' See a comparison of different countries ' plans » . Specter responded by noting his support for the Constitution as a past chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee on issues such as warrantless wiretaps . `` When you ask me to defend the Constitution , that 's what I 've been doing , '' Specter said . Specter said that overhauling the health care system is about America taking care of all of its people . `` In our social contract , we have provisions that see to it that you take care of people who need some help , '' he said . Several people asked if a health care bill would mean taxpayer dollars would pay for others to get abortions . Specter responded that any measure passed by Congress would allow people to choose a plan that did n't cover abortions . The senator agreed with the crowd on some issues , saying he opposes mandatory counseling on end-of-life issues called for in a House of Representatives version of health care legislation . Specter also vowed he would never support any bill that increased the federal deficit or took away a person 's right to choose their health care coverage . `` I am opposed to anybody making a decision for you or me or anybody else about what health care plan we should have , '' he said . Emotions ran high , with questioners complaining of government intrusion in their lives on health care and other issues . One man implored Specter and the government to `` leave us alone , '' while another said the message Specter should take back to Washington is that he and others `` want our country back . '' The shoving incident occurred early in the 90-minute session when a man started shouting that he had been told by Specter 's staff that he could speak , but he did n't get one of the 30 cards distributed to people allowing them to ask questions . Another man stood up and shoved the protester , and Specter approached the men shouting for calm . `` You and your cronies in government do this kind of stuff all the time , '' the protester shouted before leaving the hall . `` I 'm not a lobbyist with all kinds of money to stuff in your pockets . I 'll leave you so you can do whatever the hell you do . '' Specter remained calm most of the time , except when a woman asked if the bill meant a 74-year-old man with cancer would be written off by an overhauled health care system . `` Nobody 74 is going to be written off because they have cancer , '' he responded angrily . `` That 's a vicious , untrue rumor . '' See an overview of the issue » . One man defended the rowdy behavior of the audience . `` I do n't think we have bad attitudes , '' he said . `` We 're just being Americans . '' iReport.com : Attending a town hall ? Specter said he would vote against all the provisions he said he opposed in the town hall meeting , but he dodged the question of whether he would vote against a final bill if it still contained those provisions . The senator also tried to inject some humor , making sure to thank the lone person among the 30 questioners who supported the health care overhaul . Obama has said an overhaul is essential for long-term economic stability . Congressional action has slowed due to strong Republican opposition . Neither the House nor the Senate met Obama 's goal of passing a bill before Congress ' August recess . Watch how Obama is preparing for his own town hall » . In particular , Republicans and some Democrats reject a government-funded public health insurance option , arguing it would lead to a government takeover of the health care system . Most Democrats want a public option to ensure coverage is available to virtually all Americans and provide competition to private insurers .
Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania addresses raucous crowd 's concerns . One man storms out after he says he failed to obtain card allowing him to speak . Senator angered by `` vicious , untrue rumor '' that sick seniors will be `` written off ''