US health legislation receives mixed reviews in Iowa as Obama holds crucial rally

By Amy Tiffany, Guest Reporter, University of Iowa

When President Obama came into Iowa City Wednesday afternoon to speak, people voiced their opinions. The University of Iowa campus was buzzing with energy, emotions, and adrenaline as protesters and supporters rallied before and after the historic event took place at the Field House, speaking up about the highly controversial Health Care Reform that was recently passed.

One protester sign said, ‘My Money, My Health, My Choice.’ Another said, ‘We Earn our Healthcare’ and ‘Honk if I pay your Medical Bills.’ Supporters held up signs saying ‘Healthcare for America Now’ and ‘Obama 08 Thank You’ and ‘Change.’ The opinions varied as much as the signs.

Robert Foster, a Korean War veteran and Iowa City resident said, “I think it’s good for the country,” and he said it’s a first step in the right direction to help young and old people.

Another veteran expressed a different opinion. “He [President Obama] lies constantly,” said Mark McAvon, a veteran of the Vietnam War. He asked President Obama to be more transparent, and not sneak behind America’s back.

University of Iowa junior Kevin Hickey, who had stopped to observe during the couple of hours he had between classes, agreed. He said Obama needs to face the people up front with what he is doing, and asked, why does Obama have to go around selling the Health Care Reform?



McAvon also said the day the Health Care Reform passed was the day freedom died.
Some people were concerned with the financial issues. Sarah Turner, from Washington, Iowa, said America does not have the money for this. Hickey said, “We’re all going to have to pay for this somehow.”

Not all were concerned with the same financial issues. A bystander in a different conversation said to a Republican, “All you care about are rich people!” Turner said the quality of medical care will go down. “There won’t be home grown doctors,” said Kitty Rehberg and Linda Bowden, who traveled from Independence, Iowa to protest.

“Doctor Obama, your prescriptions don’t work,” the pair said while chuckling.
But inside the Field House was where the majority of the supporters would be found. During the speech UI senior Krisanne Ryther said Obama did a good job explaining the positive affects the Health Care Reform will have in laymen’s terms, and even laughed at how UNI’s upset against Kansas messed up his NCAA bracket.

Though tensions were high and everyone had a different opinion of President Obama and the Health Care Reform, one thing was for sure. His visit brought out the passion of University of Iowa students and residents.