Staff Report

Local citizens concerned about the new government health care plan proposed by the Obama administration are having a chance to speak their mind.

A local group recently made the trip to the Jesse Helms Center in Wingate to hear speakers from Americans for Prosperity. There will be a another rally Thursday at 3 p.m. for the Southern Pines/Aberdeen area in the empty lot beside Steve Jones Honda, 11049 Highway 15-501 North. No rallies are as yet planned in Richmond County according to the group’s Web site.

Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory joined the "Patients First Tour at the Wingate affair to discuss the harmful policies being debated right now that will result in a government takeover of American health care and explored free market solutions to our health needs that will protect patients' rights.

The tour kicked off on July 21 at the RBC Center in Raleigh. Each participant was encouraged to call their North Carolina senators, Kay Hagan and Richard Burr as well as their District 8 Congressman, Larry Kissell and share their concerns with this plan. 

Each member was given the opportunity to sign the "Hands Off My Health Care" petition being circulated around the country. This petition states that citizens are opposed to any legislation that imposes greater government control over health care that would mean fewer choices for them and their families. In the petition signers agreed that they want to continue having:  Choice of doctor, all control of health insurance options, timely access to quality health care and the opposition to the lost of taxpayer money by paying for a government takeover. The Patients First is a project of Americans for Prosperity which is a national grassroots organization committed to advancing every individual's right to economic freedom and opportunity. It has over 500,00 members, including members in all 50 states. 

Citizens who attended the Wingate rally from Richmond County included Jane Moss-RN, Jim Webb, Darrell Day, Lori Colville, Teressa Beavers, Josh Austin, Daniel Moody, Ray Hill, John Foster and Evelyn Brown.