ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — One of North Carolina’s strongest backers of President Obama in Congress is holding a town hall meeting to discuss health care reform.U.S. Rep. G. K. Butterfield’s district in the state’s northeast corner is one of the state’s most secure. He’ll discuss the hottest-button issue in Washington on Tuesday.

Conservative critics have used such public forums to express their anger about efforts to alter the U.S. health care system.

Democrats say the conservatives are trying to make a point by disrupting the events and trying to shame Congress members.

U.S. Reps. David Price, Brad Miller, and Bob Etheridge held a private discussion of health care Monday. Rep. Heath Shuler holds a telephone news conference on the subject Thursday.