After hundreds of requests for Congressman Bob Latta to hold a public town hall-style meeting on health care reform were ignored, over 50 citizens within Ohio's Fifth District vehemently protested in front of his local office by repeating slogans and holding up bright, blue signs stressing the need for nationwide, affordable health care coverage for every American citizen.
Since the summer, the Bowling Green State University College Democrats, Organizing for America and Progress BG worked together to collect over 3000 signatures in support of House Resolution 3200 - legislation the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee initiated proposing affordable, quality and universal coverage - and yesterday morning during the "Lets Get It Done" protest, those in attendance marched into Latta's 1045 N. Main St. office and handed in the petition while voicing their concerns over health care reform.
"I'm just very concerned about the fact that we are the only civilized nation in the world that does not take care of health needs for its people," said Bob Callecod, former director of Parks and Recreation in Bowling Green. "I would like to see a plan that ensures that everybody can get health insurance ... and doesn't wipe out all of your family savings and put you in debt forever."
For advocates of H.R. 3200, they would like to see Callecod's ideal vision become a reality, including one of the millions of Americans who were forced to come out of retirement to cover out-of-pocket medical expenses.
"I'm paying more for my insurance than I am making," said Sandy Rowland, who just obtained her real estate license to pay her $600 per month medical costs.
Rowland, who almost died when her insurance company said they would not pay for a pacemaker after her heart failed, resulting in a second hospitalization, said she does not want anyone to go through a treacherous experience with a corporation looking to save a few dollars rather than a single life.
"They gambled with my life thinking I would die," Rowland said.
But while making health insurance less expensive without compromising quality is what Latta would want, he does not agree with the Democrats who are leading the effort in Washington, D.C., to pass H.R. 3200.
According to his opinion piece on his Web site (located at latta.house.gov), Latta said the current health care reform package would only lead to further government intrusion and bureaucracy and all Americans would have increased medical costs.
"No one is going to argue that our country doesn't need health care reform, but there are several different ways to go about it," said Press Secretary David Popp, speaking on behalf of Latta, who was busy with meetings throughout yesterday.
Even young people realize the need to reform health care immediately since they cannot be covered by their parents past age 23.
Senior Rachael Sample, who will be ineligible to be covered by her parents or the University next year, said she has heard stories from her mother (who is a pharmacist) about people sacrificing their meals or rent in order to pay for their prescriptions.
"These are decisions that are impossible to make and Americans should not have to. That is why I'm out here," Sample said. "There is no reason individuals should go into debt they cannot deal with in order to survive."
Latta also was absent when protesters handed in the petition, sparking another debate for many reformists.
"My major issue is not necessarily with his positions, but with the fact that his constituents can't share their positions with him to affect his decision making progress." said Michael Hale, organizer of the protest. "He is not even saying yes or no [to meeting with citizens], but just ignoring us."
Hale, who has tried contacting Latta through written letters, phone calls and e-mails, said he has yet to get an answer from his representative on when a constructive dialogue on health care reform will take place in Bowling Green.
Popp said a meeting to discuss health care reform in the future is possible, but it all depends on Latta's schedule, which frequently includes traveling from Bowling Green to Washington, D.C.
But Latta not being in Bowling Green to accept the petitions did not put a damper on the day, Hale said. By having a wide array of people varying in age, culture and even political affiliation, sharing their message through a civil, democratic process was the best way their message will have meaning.
"[This protest] is showing people in the Bowling Green community that people are really interested in health care reform with a strong public opinion," he said. "We want change and we'd like to affect that process."
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