| Updated: 12/17/2009 8:59 pm |
Published: 12/17/2009 3:43 pm |
The battle over healthcare reform heats up in Arkansas. Those on both sides of the issue have their sights set on convincing Senator Blanche Lincoln to vote in their favor. One group is going so far as to stage a 24 hour protest
Members of Arkansas's Republican Party take issue with the healthcare reform bill that's on the table.
"It's going to cost the statem it's gonna cost the state big time, $200 million," says Representative John Burris.
While they try to encourage Senator Blanche Lincoln not to vote for the bill, another group is trying to do the opposite. They've staged a protest at her Little Rock office as part of it's "Round the Clock for Reform" effort. "We need a bill that's affordable. We need a bill that does not tax our plans. We need a bill that is inclusive and that will cover everybody," says Cadis Collins.
Kelly Arellanes joined them. In 2004 she hit her head after falling from a horse and nearly died. Arellanes says she had to fight her insurance company at every turn to get help with medical bills. After the group left Senator Lincoln's office they ended up at another location where they plan to make phone calls urging the Senator to vote for reform.
The group plans to protest until Friday at noon. They will head to the capitol for another rally. While Republicans are not staging this type of protest, they will continue to put pressure on Senator Lincoln as well.
