Rally for health care reform

(NEWSCHANNEL 3) – Work continues in both houses of Congress to come to an agreement on a health care reform bill that can be voted on and sent to President Obama.

On Tuesday, the last of five bills was passed out of committee.

Senator Max Baucus's ten-year, $829 billion plan does not include the public option, but a Senate Health Committee plan does.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says debate on the bill will start on October 26^th as he works to combine the two bills into a final version.

On Thursday, supporters of reform and the public option took to the streets of Grand Rapids to voice their opinion. The MoveOn.org rally was one of more than 100 taking place across the country. In Grand Rapids the message was to support Senators Levin and Stabenow to fight for the public option.

Those looking for health care reform found a sympathetic ear on Thursday at the corner of Michigan and Ottawa, where the crowd commiserated about loved ones without insurance.

"There's too many people falling through the cracks," said Susan Boogaard.

"I had a brother who passed away from cancer recently who was self-employed and did not have insurance," said Mike Franz.

Another said the story of a son who lost his car and had his bank account cleared out to pay medical bills.

"He was shocked that they could just take the money out without telling him, without warning him, he went home one day and his car was gone," said June Marshall.

And even those with health insurance said they feel like victims.

"Yesterday, Blue Cross sent me a bill telling me my health insurance will be twice as much,' said Paul Emery.

The signs and banners were to push Democratic Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow to keep fighting for a public option.

"Only with the public option can we make it real and affordable for everybody," said Franz.

Those gathered were also asking for the rest of Congress to listen to their voices.

"Listen to us, listen to what we want," said Boogaard.

Supporters of reform planned to deliver signed petitions to both senators' local offices, encouraging them to keep the public option in the bill.