LOWELL, Mass. Even with her wireless microphone, it takes Michelle Ramalho a little while to get the attention of her Friday lunch crowd at the Lowell Senior Center.

Good morning everyone, calls Ramalho, the centers director. Good morning everyone, she tries again. How about a great big welcome for Sen. Scott Brown?

Brown enters a packed multipurpose room to applause. He weaves among tables shaking hands, pausing for pictures, and answering questions about his wife and daughters.

Medicare is a hot topic in the news these days, but what Eva Crawford really wants to know is: Why isnt Brown wearing a seat belt while driving his signature truck in a series of TV ads?

WBUR explores the issues in the race between Republican Sen. Scott Brown and Democratic challenger Elizabeth Warren:

It is on, Brown says, it definitely is on. Well, Crawford says, you got to show it to us. Brown waves. I always wear my seat belt, he says, moving to another table.

Brown is ready for a question about Medicare. Its a topic that comes up a lot on the campaign trail. The focus, Brown says, must be on getting rid of waste, fraud and abuse.

You probably heard of the doctor down in Texas, $300 million, one person, on Medicare fraud, Brown says. We can reform Medicare from within the system. But the message is: Anyone who is getting it or is about to get it should be grandmothered, grandfathered in, theyre not going to have any effect. We need to strengthen it from within the system for future generations.

Brown does not support the Romney-Ryan plan to turn Medicare into a premium support (some call it a voucher) program with seniors buying coverage on their own.

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How Brown, Warren Would Tackle Health Care