Health care activists clash outside Perriello’s Charlottesville office

By the time U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello arrived at his district office in downtown Charlottesville on Tuesday, the raucous activists from both sides of the health care debate already had begun yelling at each other.

“I work for a living!“ shouted Betty Sevachko of Albemarle County. “Why should I pay for your health care?“

“You’re paying for the health care of people without insurance now,“ a supporter replied.

“Well, why not leave it that way?“ said Sevachko, holding a sign that read: “I Will Not Be An Indentured Servant to Big Government.“

There were roughly 75 local supporters of the health care reform proposal before Congress on hand to meet with Perriello, many holding signs that said “Standing Together for Health Care.“ They had been brought together by Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee that is dedicated to advancing President Barack Obama’s domestic policy agenda.

Glenn Short, a World War II veteran and Charlottesville resident, gave Perriello a letter signed by 86 members of his church urging the freshman Democrat from Ivy to support a proposal to establish a government-sponsored “public option” for health insurance coverage.

“We must have a universal health insurance floor through which none can fall because they can’t afford it,“ Short said.

Advocates say a “public option” would allow many of the millions of uninsured Americans to receive affordable coverage while private insurers would lower their costs in order to compete. Opponents say such a plan would erode the private health insurance system and would lead to a much more expensive universal health care system.

Short also urged Perriello to back measures that would ban health insurers from denying coverage based on pre-existing medical conditions and that would prevent excessive payments from medical malpractice lawsuits.

“Thank you, Tom, for allowing an old-timer to speak - an old-timer who knocked on 75 doors during your campaign,“ he said.

Supporters with Organizing for America delivered thousands of letters and petitions from 5th District residents asking Perriello to back health insurance reform.

Having wrapped up his 21st and final town hall forum on the issue the night before, Perriello told the crowd that he does not support the health care proposals before Congress, but he hopes to eventually.

“I know that some of you are frustrated that I am not a ‘yes’ yet on health care reform,“ Perriello said. “ ... I’ve remained a ‘no’ on the bill, but I’m very eager and hopeful to get to a ‘yes.‘“

A report prepared recently by the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce examined the effect the current health reform bill - officially known as America’s Affordable Health Choices Act - would have in Perriello’s district.

According to the report, up to 12,500 small businesses in Perriello’s district could receive tax credits to provide coverage to their employees; 12,500 seniors would avoid the “donut hole” in Medicare Part D; 1,190 families would avoid bankruptcy each year because of unaffordable health costs; and 73,000 uninsured residents would have access to affordable coverage.

Perriello said he expects he will support the health care reform bill if it is found to lower the cost of health premiums and does not add to the federal deficit.

“The status quo is not acceptable,“ Perriello said. “We simply cannot afford to continue the situation that we have.“

Under the existing health care system, Perriello said, small businesses and the middle class are being “bankrupted” by health care costs, which are projected to double in the coming decade.

The supporters had scheduled an appointment with Perriello inside his district office. Meanwhile, an estimated 40 opponents - many from the anti-tax and anti-government spending Jefferson Area Tea Party - protested outside.

“You all have been mind controlled,“ Helen Swift-Dovel of Earlysville told members of Organizing for America as they waited to enter. “You want the government to control everything [and] let it run down the drain.“

Opponents chanted slogans such as “Uphold the Constitution” and carried signs that said such things as “Hands Off My Health Care.“

One opponent shoved her way into Perriello’s office and refused to leave.

“Ma’am, they have a scheduled appointment,“ office manager Esther Page told the protester. “We’ll have to ask you to leave.“

Organizers decided to allow the woman to stay, so long as she did not attempt to disrupt the meeting.