Bartow – Demonstrators who oppose universal health care protested outside U.S Adam Putnam’s office in Bartow today.

The protest is organized by FreedomWorks, a conservative political organization founded by former U.S. House Majority Leader Dick Armey and the 9/12 group that Glenn Beck has formed.

About 40 Demonstrators gathered from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. outside Putnam’s office. They are asking the Polk County Republican to oppose a “single-payer, government-run health care system.”

No word yet from Putnam’s office if he is supporting the Obama Healthcare Plan. Below is a video of the event.

MELBOURNE, FL – Today Congressman Bill Posey (R-Rockledge) hosted a roundtable discussion with constituents and local health care experts to listen to their concerns and ideas as Congress begins consideration of health care legislation in the coming weeks. Some Congressional leaders have already drafted legislation, but details like the overall cost of their proposals, the degree to which individuals will have control over their benefits, and ways to pay for the reforms have yet to be flushed out.

“The first step is to listen to what folks like and don’t like about their current health plans,” said Congressman Posey. “There are several bills currently floating around Congress, but the process needs to involve individuals who will be impacted the most by reform efforts being drafted by politicians in Washington.”

Thursday’s roundtable discussion brought together representatives from 13 local health care organizations including Health First, Wuesthoff, Physician’s Assistant Associates, MIMA, AARP, Congregations for Community Action, Brevard County Health Department, Pediatrics of Brevard, Brevard Health Care Alliance, Brevard County Medical Society, and constituents from the surrounding community.

House Majority leaders recently put forward a proposal for a government plan which relies heavily on tax increases on small businesses, limited choices and the creation dozens of new entitlement programs. Three other plans have been offered in the U.S. Senate by three different Committee Chairmen as well.

In the past, the House has approved Small Business Association Health Care plans – 6 times in the last 7 years – but special interests have exerted enough pressure to block the idea in the Senate. Association Health Plans allow small businesses owners to pool their resources together with other members of their respective trade associations across the nation to create a larger pool. The larger pool can be used to buy health care in bulk, bringing down the cost much like the way the federal government offers health insurance plans.

Posey said he has already gotten a lot of feedback from his constituents, many of whom like their currents plans and want to keep them. Others say they want to be sure that they can continue to choose their own physicians and the benefits that their plan includes; or that they like their current plan but need some help paying some of the cost. Some seniors say they are worried Congress will eliminate the Medicare Advantage program to pay for new reform proposals. In the 15^thCongressional district more than 40,000 seniors have chosen to enroll in a Medicare Advantage health plan.

“There are several fundamental principles that are going to guide me as we move forward with any health care reform legislation,” said Posey. “First, do no harm – every American should be able to keep their current plan, today and tomorrow. Second, I will not vote for any bill in its final form that I have not been given proper time to read and evaluate.”

Posey added that he wanted to hear from constituents on this issue and folks can contact him through his website www.posey.house.gov.

Following President Obama’s speech at the American Medical Association (AMA) concerning the need for immediate Health Care reform, Dr. Thorpe has released the following statement:

Thorpe states, “It is essential to Floridians and Americans that the Health Care reform process continues in a manner that will provide maximal coverage while simultaneously lowering the rate of growth for escalating Health Care costs. The President’s speech at the AMA contained many of the right buzz words; however, I am gravely concerned that his approach is very likely to increase the growth rate of all Health Care costs.” Dr. Thorpe further states, “In his zest to plug the dam with a spike, Obama is in fact creating a bigger opening that will lead to more damage down the road. This is especially true if he gets his way with single-payor dominance emanating expressly from the Government sector.”

As the former Chief Medical Officer of the State of Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration and as a private sector Health Care CEO and CMO, Dr. Marion Thorpe understands the clinical benefits of ensuring that patients maintain sound baseline health. In the capacity of US Senate candidate, Thorpe continues to rally support for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention protocols while simultaneously pointing out the fiscally sound benefits obtained by promoting healthy living and preventive care as a means of curtailing costs on far more expensive catastrophic and emergency treatments down the road.

On the topic of Florida Health Care reform, Dr. Marion Thorpe states, “Good health care is most essential to Florida’s economy. We truly need a good mix of private sector participation and public health intervention in order to ensure that quality of care is maintained in a manner that is accessible and affordable. The protection and promotion of Floridians’ overall health status and well-being via sound health care delivery systems must be achieved because of humanitarian reasons, and also because it is of paramount importance to Florida’s economic stability and growth.