Over 300 people covering three corners of Newport Center Drive and Santa Rosa to show Representative John Campbell that they want health care reform. Rep. Campbell has been very outspoken in his opposition to health care reform, producing newsletters and emails riddled with factual errors and outright untruths in an attempt to support his positions. The rally supporters want a public option included in the health care reform, at a minimum. The preferred plan is a single payer health care system.
The crowd circled the office building where Rep. Campbell has his district office several times. Marchers chanted about health care reform as they walked past Newport Beach Police, security guards and building personnel guarding entrances to the office building. At no time did Rep. Campbell or his staff talk with the crowd or send a statement down to the crowd.
During the summer recess, other representatives have had town halls. Rep. Loretta Sanchez had one in July, before the actual summer recess. Rep. Sanchez has participated in other community forums which have allowed her to talk with constituents about health care reform. Rep. Ed Royce had two health care forums and one fraud prevention forum. Rep. Campbell has had no public forums but only fundraisers for either his campaign or groups he supports.
The rally was organized by OC Health March, Free Enterprise Associates, Alan Boinus, and Valerie Blomquist. The crowd of over 300 included a wide range of people from retirees to families with children. Several physicians, nurses and social workers were present and talked with fellow rally members about the issues they see every day in their practices that come from a lack of readily available, affordable health care.
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