STANLEY--U.S. Rep. John Boehner of Ohio promised a "very, very hot summer" for Democrats as the health-care debate in Congress heated before the August recess.

In Stanley Friday afternoon, there were no signs of that heat for Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., when he spoke to a group of around 75 area residents during a health-care forum he hosted.

Conrad gave a presentation and took questions from a very calm and interested crowd for nearly 90 minutes here at the Montrail County Medical Center. Friday's event stood in stark contrast to the heated debates, shouting and even in rare instances, intimidating behavior and rhetoric, seen already in other parts of the country.

Conrad, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, said he and his colleagues on the committee are working very carefully. He said the committee is slowly piecing together a health care bill that Americans and Congress can agree upon.

By contrast, there are three different committees in the House and one other Senate committee that have put out proposals that are nowhere near as doable or complete as what they're still trying to craft, he added. "They have about this much chance of becoming law," said Conrad as he held two fingers up with a slim, non-existant gap between them.

Conrad said the reason his committee is the only one that hasn't reported a bill is because they are trying to put something together that would decrease costs of premiums and Medicare, but also increase the number of people who can afford and have health care.

"This is so complicated, when we put something out there we want it to be done right," he said.

Conrad said health care needs to dealt with and done so correctly. He said those who tell everyone that the system is fine the way it is and should be left alone are incorrect.

He cited recent statistics that show the average cost of family, employer-sponsored health insurance plans if left to increase at the current rate would go from $11,593 in 2008 to $20,443 in 2016, a 76 percent increase.

He added that traveling around the state, he has concerned citizens showing them their premiums with increases of 15 percent to even over 30 percent in a year.

"I was in Grand Forks recently, and this was one of the largest employers in the area. He was telling me he'd love to be able to insure his employees, but he's finding he can't afford to provide it at the current rate of premium increases," said Conrad.

He cited other instances of one man having 18 percent increases three years in a row, while one woman showed him a notice of a 35 percent increase.

Despite such stories, Conrad said it's important to put together a plan that makes sense and is affordable and helpful to all Americans.

He also said, to a strong round of applause, that he wouldn't vote for a plan that includes allowing illegal immigrants access to insurance, providing federal money for abortions or forced upon people with an artificial timetable.

One question Conrad faced was if he would support an amendment in any health care bill that requires members of Congress to buy into a government-run public option. Conrad said he would.

"But it won't happen. It won't because it would be too expensive," said Conrad.

Conrad also believes the federal government shouldn't be in charge of health care.

"They have far too much on their plate as it is. And I don't think government has any business being in charge of health care," said Conrad to more applause.

Another question was why can't people get health insurance from other states. The questioner said Blue Cross Blue Shield covers around 85 percent of the people in North Dakota with insurance and that can make prices high due to a lack of competition.

Conrad agreed, saying people should have access to competition, as competition leads to more fair prices.

Meanwhile, a medical center employee stated the Medicare system is extremely complex and most people don't have any idea what their options are or who to talk to. She and others at times might not even be able to give people the correct information all the time due to its complexity.

Conrad asked the employee what her advice would be to him and his colleagues.

Her reply was to find ways to simplify things so they're not so dense and complex that medical workers can't always figure things correctly.

After the public forum, Conrad said he thought things went very well. He agreed with fellow North Dakota Sen. Byron Dorgan, who said earlier this week he was proud of the state's citizens for their civility, compared to how others have acted at the health care forums.

"It was terrific; we got a lot of great questions today and it just really went great," said Conrad.

He said there's no definitive timeline for when his committee is to have a plan, but it is being meticulously put together and progressing. Conrad also feels confident it should be a better bill than the others released, particularly because it has been crafted in a bipartisan matter.

"But I expect a lot of debate and resistance to it no matter what," he added.