So let's see if we have this straight:

— Congress, reacting to concerns that it is rushing through a major health care reform bill without direct input from voters, holds off on a vote until after Labor Day so members can go back to their constituents to sound them out on various plans.

— When members attempt to hold meetings to explain the options and get feedback, some are shouted down by the same constituents who accused them of failing to consult with voters.

Maybe we're missing something here, but since when did town hall meetings become platforms for shouts and chants that make a discussion impossible? Protest rallies have their place, but it is outside on the lawn of City Hall, not inside where constructive dialogue is supposed to be taking place.

We acknowledge that some folks are anxious about proposed changes they see as harmful to a U.S. health care system they believe serves them well. And we suppose that if you are in good health and like your current insurance plan, you might not have much need for health reform.

But many others have no insurance at all, and even those who do often face gaps in coverage, high deductibles and soaring premiums. Numerous studies point to U.S. health care costs in a generation that are simply unaffordable without major changes in the system.

In Congress, Democrats and Republicans alike have acknowledged the need for substantive change and they have come up with alternatives. They've commissioned studies and consulted experts. The Congressional Budget Office has weighed in on future costs. Several draft bills have been voted on by committees and their texts widely circulated.

What's disappointing is how much misinformation has been spread by interests with political and financial axes to grind, and — thanks to the Internet — how fast. From euthanasia to banning of private insurance to covering all illegal immigrants, the distortions have been reckless by political leaders and talk show hosts who should know better. We urge readers to consult www.factcheck.org for the latest updates on the rumor mill.

That said, how should members of Congress check in with constituents on this important issue? The first step would be to have a Web site that explains the various bills, addresses the rumors and lays out where the member stands on various aspects and what issues are still unresolved in her mind.

Unfortunately, as of Monday, U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick's site does none of the above. It simply links to the text of a very complicated House bill and promises more will be posted later. It provides no basis for constituents to evaluate the competing measures nor where Kirkpatrick stands on them.

If that isn't frustrating enough for constituents who want some interaction with their congressperson, Kirkpatrick's public schedule calls only for "Chats with Ann" that appear to be one-on-one meetings. On health care, all she has done so far is hold a one-hour teleconference, and the transcript of that session has not yet been released.

We urge Kirkpatrick to comment and get constituent feedback on the various aspects of the health care reform bills currently in play, including whether:

— Employers should be required to offer health insurance to employees. If not all employers, which ones?

— A public insurance program should be set up if employers are allowed to opt out of offering health coverage to their employees

— Those people currently uninsured should be required to purchase insurance on a sliding scale

— The tax-exemption on premiums for workplace health insurance should be reduced or eliminated to help pay for the expansion of the system.

— Doctors should be paid on a case basis, not for each procedure involved in treating a case.

— Extensive data collection and analysis should determine the most cost-effective treatment methods.

If Kirkpatrick does not want to be accused of controlling the agenda at town hall meetings and thus becoming the target of hecklers, perhaps a moderator should run the discussions. Neutral groups like the League of Women Voters and the AAUW are ideal for setting ground rules and defusing the tension that surrounds controversial issues.

Time, however, is running out — August will be over before we know it. Kirkpatrick owes her 1st District constituents more than disembodied teleconferences and one-on-one chats at supermarkets. We urge her to set up town hall meetings on health care reform, and we urge voters to respect a format that promotes spirited but constructive discussion.