Protesters seek Foster's 'no' vote on health reform bill

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Victor LaPorte of Elgin, a member of the Elgin Tea Party Patrons, protests President Obama's proposed healthcare plan outside Congressman Bill Foster's Batavia office Thursday afternoon. (Sandy Bressner – sbressner@kcchronicle.com)

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BATAVIA – Holding flags and signs against a proposed health care reform package, about 50 people protested at the Batavia office of U.S. Rep. Bill Foster on Thursday.

The protesters were at Foster's office about the same time as a Tea Party Patriots protest in Washington. The Tea Party organization is made up of conservatives who oppose excessive government spending and taxation.

Foster, D-Batavia, was not at his district office, so many protesters talked to district director Sue Klinkhamer who collected their written positions to pass on. Foster has not stated where he stands on the health care bill scheduled for passage in the House on Saturday. But in preparation for it, Foster held 151 events and meetings with constituents. He has also  logged 43 hours reading and analyzing the legislation since the bill’s text was made available a week ago, spokeswoman Shannon O'Brien said.

"We don't agree with what's going on with the Democratic agenda right now and what (President) Obama is pursuing," said Keith Knaack of Campton Hills. "And we want to convince Bill Foster to vote 'no' on the government option ... We can't afford it."

Jim Murray of Campton Hills agreed the nation's health care system needs reform – just not what is proposed.

"There's some good ideas relative to health care, for insurance companies to beg out because of prior conditions ... I think those things need to be looked at and responded to,"  Murray said. " I think health care needs to be available for everyone, but I don't believe that the approach they're taking – especially the government option – is the way to do it."

Sylvia Keppel of Batavia does not want abortion services to be part of any health care plan reform. Keppel held large sign with a color photo of a late-term abortion.

"The health care bill includes taxpayer-funded abortions," Keppel said. "They try to deny it, but it's in there. They've shot down every amendment that would explicitly prohibit taxpayer-funded abortions. Bill Foster, if he supports it, he will be wasting our tax money in an effort that is doomed to fail. Anything the government touches fails."

The AARP, representing 40 million older Americans and the American Medical Association have both endorsed the health care reform package. According to AARP 's Web site, the plan is supported because its proposals "would improve health care for older Americans and their families."

According to its Web site, AMA president Dr. J. James Rohack said the legislation "goes a long way toward expanding access to high-quality affordable health coverage for all Americans, and it would make the system better for patients and physicians.”

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