SOUTH BEND — Roughly 200 protesters, most of them opposing President Obama’s health care reform bill, gathered Thursday outside U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly’s downtown South Bend office. Reform opponents were met by a smaller group of people who support the landmark $940 billion bill. Protesters from both sides held signs and shouted loudly, often trying to drown each other out as motorists honked their horns in support while passing through the intersection of Main Street and Colfax Avenue. The 10-year plan would provide coverage to 32 million people now uninsured through a combination of tax credits for middle class households and an expansion of the Medicaid program for low income people, the Associated Press reported. Release of the legislation later Thursday sets the stage for a House vote on Sunday, and Democrats have already signaled they plan to go it alone, without Republican support. The GOP has steadfastly opposed the plan from the outset. Donnelly is in Washington Thursday and could not immediately be reached for comment. Read Friday’s South Bend Tribune for more on this story.
Staff writer Jeff Parrott: jparrott@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6320
