Former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner made a short stop at Lewis-Gale Medical Center on Monday afternoon to talk to health care workers and rally support for his U.S. Senate candidacy.

The Democrat wasted no time introducing himself to constituents upon arriving at the Salem hospital's entrance. He quickly got busy shaking hands and chatting with patients waiting for rides near the sliding glass doors.

"You're all thinking who is this guy here and why is he blocking everyone in," Warner joked to a crowd gathered at the entrance.

Warner made his way through the lobby, stopping for a moment to hug a constituent who described herself as "one of your die-hard Democrats."

He then met with about 40 hospital workers for what he described as a "little discussion about health care."

The stop at Lewis-Gale is part of a two-day tour through Southwest Virginia this week. Earlier Monday, he visited Optical Cable Corp. in Roanoke County.

Warner is running for the seat being vacated by retiring Republican Sen. John Warner. A victory would give Democrats hold of both of the state's Senate seats for the first time since 1970.

In front of the small crowd Monday, Warner paced the room, outlining his agenda for health care reform.

He talked about the need for electronic medical records and more transparency among health care providers. He advocated better financing for long-term care and for some version of universal health coverage.

"I think we're going to see a big-bang approach to health care reform," Warner said.

Victor Giovanetti, the hospital's chief executive officer, who attended the meeting, said he supports many of the former governor's stances, especially his emphasis on collaboration.

"We are finding we have some challenges ahead and we need collective focus from everyone," Giovanetti said.

Warner's comments on universal health coverage particularly resonated with the hospital's rehabilitation director, Denise Rose, who also attended the meeting.

Rose said she often sees patients caught in the bind of needing long-term care but not having adequate private insurance to pay for it. Many can't pay out of pocket and are forced to go on Medicaid or disability, she said.

"I think he spoke to the heart of the matter on reform," Rose said.

Today, Warner is scheduled to conclude his "Hometown Days" tour with visits to town officials in Radford, Christiansburg and Blacksburg; college students at Radford University; community leaders at Schaeffer Memorial Baptist Church in Christiansburg; and technology executives in Blacksburg.