State health debate sparks new demonstrations

Published April 10, 2010 at 10:36 p.m.

Victoria Madison says she has a lot riding on health care reform. "Right now I have Medicaid. I need coverage because it doesn't cover half the things I need," said Madison.

She was part of a group that rallied in support of the recently passed health care reform bill at Kelly Ingram Park in Birmingham today. Patricia Davis helped put it together.

"Even though the bill is passed we know now in the State of Alabama they would like to opt out of the bill and certainly we would like to let them know that there are citizens in this state that's concerned about health care and we want to maintain, we want to stay and make sure that we are part of the original bill," said Patricia Davis.
 
Over in Trussville, people who also have strong views about this issue are planning an event of their own for Thursday. Natalie Schmidt of the Republican Women of Trussville says Tax Day of the Trussville Tea Party 2010 will feature free music, food, and information on how to plug in to the political process. "We're hearing some frustration across the country where they don't feel like their voices are being heard or listened to in Washington which is part of the reason we are hosting the event, to allow people who are like minded to come together just celebrate their freedoms and let Washington know that we're here," said Schmidt.
 
Conservative Patriots Club member Harold Mathews is hoping the state legislature will give Alabama voters a choice on the health care issue. "I don't think the government should have the right to make it mandatory for you to buy anything from the government or from anybody else as far as that goes," said Mathews. "We'd like to see SB233, the bill that Scott Beason is pushing to give the people of Alabama an opportunity to vote on whether or not they want health care."

Organizers say the Tax Day Tea Party event is free and will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, April 15th at the park in historic downtown Trussville.

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