200 protest plans for health reform

Though he was embraced by a friendly crowd inside the warm confines of Arcadia University on Monday, President Barack Obama likely would have received more than one cold shoulder at the nearby intersection of routes 73 and 152 from about 200 people protesting his plans for the nation's health care system.

"I'm a firm believer in doing things that work," said Derek Wirth of Bedminster. "This policy being proposed does not work and will not work. They have to start all over."

Dozens of the protesters, many of whom carried signs and enjoyed the honking of passing motorists, included members of the Kitchen Table Patriots and the Thomas Jefferson Club, two conservative groups headquartered in Bucks County.

Jennifer Stefano, vice president of the Thomas Jefferson Club, eyed the crowd and said, "It's tremendous to see so many Americans with jobs and families taking time out of their busy lives to voice their opinions."

One man looking to change jobs, and go from attorney to Congress, is Mike Fitzpatrick who spoke to the tea party organizations.

"We can't sit back any longer after what's being proposed for our health care system," said Fitzpatrick, who called on 8th District Congressman Patrick Murphy to hold a face-to-face town hall on health care. He said Murphy should "stop hiding from his own constituents and allow the people of the 8th District to have a voice in this process."

"Patrick Murphy has committed to supporting legislation that has not even been made available for public scrutiny. He is long overdue to meet with his constituents, explain his position and listen to their concerns."

Murphy, who held two town halls by telephone last summer, has voted for health care reform and supports a government run insurance option that competes with private firms.

Asked for a response to Fitzpatrick's call for a town hall, Murphy spokeswoman Kate Hansen stated in an e-mail that "Murphy has listened to the concerns of constituents all over Bucks County, and that's why he supports cracking down on insurance industry abuses and providing tax credits to help small businesses and families afford health care."

Obama espoused the same view to a crowd of 2,000 on the Arcadia campus and received positive feedback.

"He hit all the key issues, particularly affordable cost and coverage of pre-existing conditions, both issues that this legislation will address" said Abington Democrat Greg Holt, a former Montgomery County jury commissioner.

"He reminded people that it is the insurance companies now making all the decisions, not them or their doctors."

Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, D-13, called the health care reforms detailed by the president as "moderate proposals" that provide consumer protection, more access to insurance coverage and lower costs.

"For the most part, what I have been hearing from my constituents is to get something done now and we can add on to it in the future," Schwartz said.

The protesters had other ideas.

"The American people don't want it and I'm here to show that we don't want it," said Rachel Victor, 14, of Cheltenham. "It will lead to bad consequences, and reduce care for older people."

Shamin Utermohlen of Harleysville, a student at Kutztown University, wanted people to know the members of tea party groups "are not a redneck, Astroturf group."

"We want to make our voices heard and get the truth out. We are not a socialist society. I bet the people who voted for hope and change see now that what they were promised is not what they were looking for."