Health care reform supporters rally outside Grassley’s office

Supporters of health insurance reform sent a message to Sen. Chuck Grassley in downtown Cedar Rapids today.

More than 50 people gathered outside Grassley's office here to deliver signatures supporting President Barack Obama's reform principals.

Maryann Stewart, 72, who volunteers at the Community Health Free Clinic in Cedar Rapids, said she has spoken to seniors worried that their Medicare would be taken away under the reform proposals.

“It's not part of the plan,” she said. “We need to squelch the misinformation and get out the right information.”

Today's rally was sponsored by Organizing For America, a grassroots project of the Democratic National Committee.

Ruthie Polansky, 68, of Marion, delivered more than 16,000 signatures to a Grassley staff member. Grassley was not at the event.

Polansky is more than $16,000 in debt because of health issues.

“How can we say some people don't deserve health care,” said Carolyn Cleveland, 64, of Cedar Rapids. “I don't understand that.”

Cleveland, who has health insurance, said she wants a reform bill that addresses pre-existing conditions.

She knows several people with cancer, diabetes and other health problems who are worried that if they change jobs, they will lose their coverage.

Gretchen Lawyer, 36, of Marion, a Democrat who helped organize the event, said she hopes Grassley will work in a bipartisan manner on reform.

Lawyer noted that Americans who voted for Obama still support his health insurance reform principals.

Those include enacting reform that will lower costs, protect choice and ensure all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care.