Rallies On Both Sides Of Health Care Debate | Video

Amanda Tetlak | 12/15/2009

Health care reform legislation sparked protests on both sides of the issue Tuesday. Those who support reform say there`s no better time than now to reform our health care system. At the Federal Building in Bismarck, a group of people discussed what they say needs to change. The rally was held by the Code Pink Organization, Women for Peace. Members gathered at the Bismarck offices of our congressional delegation. Their message was "fund healthcare, not warfare." They presented each office with a banner to send to Senators Dorgan and Conrad and Representative Pomeroy.

"Healthcare reform costs money, to make any changes in this country costs money, and here we`re sending all kinds of money into warfare that doesn`t work and doesn`t help our people, and healthcare reform would help our people," says Karen VanFossen with Code Pink.

The group says it felt the need to respond to President Obama`s decision to send 30-thousand more troops to Afghanistan.

On the other side, those who oppose reform say now is not the time to be considering making changes. Led by the state Republican Party, a group of North Dakotans rallied outside the Federal Building asking our US Senators not to support health care reform legislation. They say it`s too big of an expense at a time when our nation`s economy is suffering.

"We don`t know what the economy is going to be like next year. 60 percent of North Dakotans say we should be focusing on the economy and yet we`re willing to spend trillions of dollars on another big government health care plan, government takeover. That`s not what we want right now," says Adam Jones with the state Republican Party.

The Campaign for Responsible Health Care Reform also participated today by delivering about 150 petitions to Senator Byron Dorgan`s office.

Democrats say Republicans have offered up no ideas for health care.

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