MOSS POINT — U.S. Rep. Gene Taylor wanted to talk about shipbuilding and other issues before taking up health care at a town hall meeting. The crowd did not want to wait.

About 700 people showed up for the Monday night meeting in Moss Point and chanted "health care" when the south Mississippi Democrat began discussing other topics.

Taylor made it clear that he's "not going to vote for" health care reform being pushed by Democratic President Barack Obama.

The health care plan has become a contentious issue across the nation amid calls for creating a government-run option to compete with private insurance companies. Proposals for nonprofit cooperative ventures have emerged as an alternative.

Taylor, a member of the conservative Blue Dog Democrats, has said he's concerned about the cost of the plan.

"I would hope that everyone in this room knows by now that I am not going to vote for the health care plan," Taylor said, eliciting a standing ovation.

Taylor is a sponsor of two health care bills, one that would require Medicare to operate at least one drug benefit plan that negotiates prices directly with drug manufacturers, and another bill that would repeal the insurance industry's antitrust exemption.

Richard Pipkin, a Gautier resident, said he pays $700 a month for health insurance but still opposes a national health care plan. "Every time we turn around, we are fighting to save some of our freedoms," Pipkin said.

Gladys Reese of Moss Point, however, said something needs to be done for those who cannot afford to pay for health insurance.

"If you're like millions of Americans who have lost their jobs and don't have $700 to pay for insurance, these are people who have to be considered also," Reese said. "They are all real Americans."

U.S. Rep. Travis Childers, a freshman Blue Dog Democrat whose district is in northern Mississippi, scheduled a teleconference town hall meeting Tuesday night to discuss health care proposals.