Health care protesters rally outside Loebsack’s office in Iowa City

The health care reform debate continued today outside the office of congressman Dave Loebsack.

Loebsack, D-Iowa, spoke in a cramped office during a press conference organized by the Iowa Citizen Action Network, as about 30 people on both sides of the issue demonstrated outside.

Deb Derksen, 49, of Iowa City, said she is happy with the health insurance she has through her husband's job and preferred that the government first look at controlling costs and tort reform.

“I'm tired of the spending and our government moving toward Socialism, possibly Marxism,” said Derksen, who described herself as an “average, everyday American citizen” with no ties to any organized group.

Her position was easily outnumbered by about two dozen members of Health Care for America Now, which supports health care reform.

Betty Ahrens, executive director of the Iowa Citizen Action Network, released a report at the press conference that outlined the benefits of House Bill 3200, known as America's Affordable Choices Act.

Most important, she said, would be the 55,000 Iowans in Loebsack's second district without insurance who would be covered under the bill.

Loebsack said he has heard from constituents on both sides of the debate.