Danville residents angry about health care vote

As a small group of five or six people chanted “Thank you, Tom,” outside Rep. Tom Perriello’s downtown Danville congressional office Monday afternoon, a larger group of about 70 people responded louder, “No thanks, Tom.”

Americans for Prosperity organized the rally, with the Richmond chapter’s giant red and blue bus reading “Hands Off My Health Care” as a backdrop. State Director Ben Marchi led the rally, criticizing Perriello, D-5th District, for voting in favor of health care reform Saturday and “breaking promises” to his constituents. Perriello was not at the Danville office during the rally.

“We are just shocked and disappointed,” Marchi said. “This fight is far from over.”

Marchi said they were disappointed because throughout the last few months, Perriello had said he was not yet ready to vote in favor of the bill in its current state.

“We had no idea he wanted to vote for a more liberal bill,” he said.

Marchi encouraged the group to urge Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner to vote against the bill when it goes before the Senate, and said they expected Perriello to “do his duty to the district” and vote against the conference report.

As opposing rally participants shouted things like, “Shut up idiot!” and “Liar!” at each other, Marchi asked them to “be respectful,” although the arguing and hollering ensued once Marchi finished speaking.

Conflicting signs reading sentiments such as “Best wishes on your retirement” or “Thank you Congressman Perriello, we finally have a leader in Congress,” mirrored the people’s anger or gratitude for Perriello’s vote.

“It’s going in the wrong direction,” said Danville resident George Evans. “It’s going toward socialism. It’s a government plan and I don’t agree with that at all.”

Dr. John Hoffman, a physician practicing in Danville since 1983, was one of the few in attendance who supported the legislation. He said about 50 percent of his patients do not have health insurance.

“It’s a magnanimous gesture for the U.S. House of Representatives to offer people an option,” Hoffman said. “It’s important that this be done and I thank Tom Perriello. I know what the disaster is in health care here.”

Local resident Bill Torok said he supported aspects of the legislation, such as tort reform and coverage for those with preexisting conditions. But he said he fundamentally opposed the federal government “taking over” health care.

Susan Lee argued that “even if this were a great bill, we can’t afford it.”

“It’s an attack on us, our freedom and the free market enterprise that made this country great,” she said. “… We’re not against health care reform; we’re against this health care reform.”

Some of the major goals of the legislation are to increase market competition through a public option and reduce the federal deficit. According to the independent Congressional Budget Office, the legislation would reduce the deficit by $109 billion in the first decade.

After the rally, Isaac Black and Scott Jones argued loudly about abortion coverage, drawing a small crowd. Black supported a woman’s right to choose; Jones was vehemently pro-life. The bill passed with an amendment that would prohibit federal funding of abortions.

“Every single word of it,” Jones said of what he specifically opposed about the legislation. “It’s government takeover of our lives… We’re taking a stand.”

Black said he supported the legislation, but wanted to hear what others had to say about it.

“There’s a lot of fear being preached here,” Black said.

Sheila Baynes, who is the chairwoman of the Danville Democratic Committee, said the bill was not perfect, but “it’s a step in the right direction.”

“It is time for us to do something for people who cannot afford to do it,” Baynes said. “…If we fail to do anything, then we fail the people.”

A handful of vocal protestors and supporters lingered even after the bus left, but were cleared out by Danville police officers, who had received a call about people blocking the sidewalk. Captain T.W. Jones said the group did not have a permit to assemble in the city.

“The great thing about this country is we can stand here and have our own opinions,” Marchi said before the rally ended.