Health care reform plan draws local protesters

YAKIMA, Wash. -- A group of people who disagree with the Democratic Party version of health care reform gathered at 40th and Summitview avenues in Yakima on Saturday morning to protest the proposed legislation.

About two dozen people attended the event, which began at 8 a.m. and lasted about two and a half hours.

Protesters stood on all four corners of the intersection, carrying signs and waving American flags.

Among the protesters were people affiliated with the Grassroots of Yakima Valley, Minutemen and 9-12 Project.

The goal was to raise awareness and encourage people to express their views on the subject, according to one of the protesters, 71-year-old David Welch of Yakima. He recently joined the 9-12 Project and said he was pleased with the turnout at Saturday's event.

"There was a lot of honks and waving," he said. "There's a few that disagreed with us, but that's fine. That's normal. There's a lot that agreed with us on the matter."

One of his main complaints about the proposed health care reform is the speed at which it's taking place.

"They're rushing it too fast," Welch said, adding the document totals about 1,000 pages and he wants to make sure it receives proper scrutiny.

So does Keith Baugher, another Yakima senior and a member of the Grassroots group.

"The common people like me ... they don't want something like this pushed through," Baugher said. "This is a way we feel we can get out, point out and show the rest of the people our feelings."

Grassroots member Frank Warren, 81, of Yakima said he would like to see more protesters next time.

"To protest the socialization of our health care, that's the reason I was out there," he said. "I have a good health plan, and I don't want to lose it.

"I thought we should have more people being concerned."

This was the second protest the three groups have held in the past two months. The groups held another protest in downtown Yakima in July.

And they will likely hold another one soon, Welch said.

"We need to keep it in front of the public because it's a very important subject," he said.

Meantime, he encouraged people to contact their representatives.

"Call them up or e-mail them and let them know how you feel, whether you're for it or against it."