One Last Rallying Cry. President Obama Talks Health Reform Bill At George Mason University.

Pro-Life Supporters Say Bill Supports Abortion.

To an almost packed Patriot Center (who knew the reason why Sections 109-114 were blocked off, and most of the audience viewed the president either from the side or rear?), President Obama made one last rally cry to plug his health care reform bill before the bill is to be passed this weekend.

President Obama speaking at George Mason University's Patriot Center. Photo/CD Brown.

Amid cheers from the crowd of "Yes, We Can!" and "Fired Up. Ready To Go!" (and a few I Love Yous) Mr. Obama explained to the audience, many of whom were students, that health care reform can't wait.

"George Mason, the time for reform is right now. Not a year from now, not five years from now, not 10 years from now, not 20 years from now, it’s now", said president Obama.

Many who attended the gathering liked what the president is proposing.

Folks we talked to after the rally were particularly in favor of having young adults remain on their parent's health plan until age 26.

"And by the way, to all the young people here today, starting this year if you don’t have insurance, all new plans will allow you to stay on your parents’ plan until you are 26 years old", explained Obama.

"Once I graduated from college I was kicked off my parent's insurance", said Tamika Felder of Tamika and Friends, a non-profit group passionate about women's health and health care reform.  Tameka initially found a job after college, but it didn't offer health coverage.  Upon finding a job that did, she was later diagnosed with cervical cancer.

"Luckily I ended up with a job that had insurance. I had a good job, good health care but I ended up in debt at 25 because once I reached my cap on my insurance, they wouldn't pay for things.  So, I had to pay for some things out right. With a cancer you have some medications that aren't covered, so young adults especially really need health care reform.  We're just getting started in our jobs, we're paying off student loans.  It's very important for the young adult community, especially, that health care reform goes through."

Adding, "The fact that the plan allows students to remain on their parent's plan is phenomenal.  We already are paying back college loans."

Interestingly enough we chatted with a 16 year old who told us his parents don't have health care. He was forced to use emergency care at a hospital after suffering a concussion playing football.  (Our sister blog talked about concussions this week, here).

"We had to pay $3,000 right on the spot", Ayman Ahmed told us after the rally. 

"The ambulance game and I got fixed, and after it was done they talked to her (referring to his mother), she signed some papers and we had to pay.  It took a while."

A few audience members told us while they have healthcare, they are happy that president's plan will cover those who don't.

While most were in favor of the president's health care reform plan, others came out to demonstrate what they think the health care reform bill doesn't reveal.   Jonathan Darnell (left), 28, a friend of the DC metro area grassroots pro-life organization, Defend Life thinks the reform will increase funding for abortions.









Protestors who say the president's health care bill supports
payment of abortions hold signs outside.  Photo/CD Brown.





 "Numerous, neutral fact check organizations have verified that the bill, as it stands right now, especially President Obama's version, will increase funding for abortions through numerous different channels", said Darnell. 

"I oppose that.  I think it should be a litmus test. A deal breaker.  As apparently a lot of pro-life Democrats in the house believe."

"If we would not kill a four or five year old child because the mother was raped, or their home life was terrible, we should not kill an unborn child. I believe they are persons and deserve the same rights", said Darnell.

Hecklers were removed from the event, among them, Ruby Nicdaw, a counselor with LifeGuardSaves.com who repeatedly chanted, "We won't pay for murder!"

When another heckler was removed by security after minutes of booing, he asked them, "What took you so long?"

As it applies to health care reform we ask the same: Washington, what took you so long?