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The reform proposal is expected for a vote in the U.S. House perhaps as early as Friday.
“I think it will ruin us,” said 78-year-old Glen Alexander of Tupelo, standing in the cold and wind with the others outside Childers’ office downtown across from City Hall. “I think it will increase my out-of-pocket medical costs and increase our taxes.”
Childers hasn’t said how he will vote, although he voted against another health care reform proposal last year.
The rally was organized by Grant Sowell and the local tea party, which supports conservative fiscal policies and opposes greater government intrusion. He stood on the building’s central stairwell and urged participants to make their protest a “peaceful assembly.”
He also promoted three upcoming tea party events, including an April 3 Tupelo stop for the national Tea Party Express and an April 17 statewide event in Jackson.
Mack Turner Sr. of Tupelo stood out in the crowd as the only black person there. He also appeared to be the only one in favor of health care reform.
“This is a distraction,” Turner termed the event. The community organizer, who operates United Brothers & Sisters, said he works with homeless people and that health care reform is needed.
Rally participants milled in and out of the First District office, chatting with the receptionist and warming themselves from the wintry chill.
Outside, Ed Holliday prayed for God to “put into your hands the members of Congress ... to let them know how this country needs to go.”
Read more about this story in the Wednesday NEMS Daily Journal newspaper.
I will agree though that something needs to be done for the childrens healthcare. That is why they need to be reforming Medicaid, not the entire health system. My healthcare works just fine, I don't need Uncle Sam messing with it. It would work even better if they had kept their hands out to begin with. Why can't insurance be sold across state lines? Why are the insurance companies exempt from Anti-trust laws? These don't bring the cost down, they raise them!
Government- If you think the problems we create are bad, wait until you see our solutions! -unknown author