Health care concerns are on the minds of people in our area as the national debate heats up. Dozens turned out at two rallies representing both sides of the debate. WFMZ's Jaccii Farris reports.



[ 8/11/09 REPORT: Rallies For And Against Health Care Reforem, In Lehigh Valley ] 

  >> REPORTER: The nation's health care debate makes a stop at Allentown's Cedar Beach. 

>> I was talking to a gentleman today who said that his brother went to his doctor. They immediately got him into the hospital and they had a pacemaker in that day. 

>> Ladies and Gentlemen, I don't know of anything that the government does that quickly.  Dozens of people clad with protest signs and flags turned out to meet the "Hands off my health care bus," organized by a group called Americans for prosperity. 

>> AMY MENEFEE: We are opposed to any more government control of health care. We see the reforms that are coming down the pike right now as a lot more regulations and restrictions as well as taxing us to pay for those. 

>> REPORTER: These residents heard worried words. That the plans forming in Washington will cost more money, take away individual choice and place a burden on small businesses. Next to our hourly wages government mandates account for our number one expense of our businesses as it does for many business people here in our Lehigh Valley. Give us divine wisdom we pray amen. 

>> REPORTER: Across town, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church residents are asking God to guide the health care reform process. Many here say the system as it stands now isn't working... That millions of people can't afford it or don't qualify for health care. 

>> RICHARD BAUMANN: People have the right to good health care. If we care about other people we will support health care reform because there aren't people who are getting health care reform. 

>> REPORTER: St. Paul's Pastor Richard Baumann Congregations United for Neighborhood Action member says he's encouraging Valley residents to contact leaders in Washington and to pray for a compromise that covers everyone. 

>> We want to begin an opportunity to pray for the next 40 days that change can come to our country that change can come to our health care system.

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