Capitol Hill protest slams healthcare bill

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Responding to a call from Republican House of Representatives members, thousands of protesters congregated on the west side of the U.S. Capitol Thursday in vocal opposition to a healthcare reform bill.

U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., championed the "Health Care House Call" late last week and spoke at the event. The size of the crowd was estimated to be in the thousands.

"Speaker Pelosi is poised with her healthcare bill to take over 18 percent of the American economy," Bachmann said as chants of "Kill the bill" rang through the crowd.

"The Republicans don't have the votes to kill this bill," she continued, "but what we knew was unlimited was the voice of persuasion of the American people."

Many House Democrats, led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and their supporters favor the inclusion of a public, or government-run, healthcare option in reform legislation. But the provision has sparked anger among conservatives.

On Thursday, the American Medical Association and the American Association of Retired Persons backed the House bill.

"We are closer to passing this reform than ever before," President Barack Obama said in response to the AMA and AARP endorsements.

Bachmann was joined at the rally by many of her fellow GOP House members, as well as actor and healthcare reform opponent Jon Voight, and conservative radio host Mark Levin.

Referring to the healthcare reform legislation as "Pelosi Care," House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, said, "This bill is the greatest threat to freedom that I have seen in the 19 years that I've been here in Washington."

Boehner said the legislation would lead to a government takeover of the healthcare system and would limit a person's ability to choose a doctor and purchase a choice of health insurance plans.

Shortly after Boehner pumped up the crowd, House Minority Whip Eric Cantor, R-Va., pledged to align GOP representatives in opposition to the legislation.

"I have reached out to every Republican member in this House," Cantor said. "We are committed to making sure that not one Republican will vote for this (healthcare reform) bill."

Chad Dupill, who served in the military as a U.S. Marine and who is now a small business owner from Pennsylvania, was among the thousands who made the trip to the Capitol.

"We're all here to stop this healthcare bill," Dupill said, as those around him cheered in agreement. "We're not against healthcare reform but we're against any form of public healthcare, any form of government-run healthcare."

The House healthcare bill may be voted on as early as this weekend.