‘Die-in’ protests GOP health care plan, Dunn

News Herald (Panama City, FL)

May 12--PANAMA CITY -- About three dozen people lay motionless on the ground, some dressed in black clothing, as the Grim Reaper hovered over.

The scene was not out a horror movie but instead part of a "die-in" Wednesday in front of the Bay County Government Center to protest House passage of the American Health Care Act (AHCA), the Republican alternative to the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Protesters from Bay Indivisible, a local coalition of political activists, gathered to express outrage at the possible abolishment of the ACA, also known as Obamacare. The die-in theme reflected the perception that more people will die or get sick under the new health care legislation pushed through the U.S. House by Republicans.

Along with a skeleton in a wheelchair, protesters also brought signs that said "RIP Trump=death" and "Death by no affordable access," among other slogans. Die-ins have occurred throughout Florida and the country this week, including in Orlando.

One of the protesters who came out, Cindy Wilker, has dealt with heart failure and said that while former President Barack Obama saved her life, current President Donald Trump would try to take it.

"This is absolutely ridiculous that in the wealthiest country and most advanced country in the world that we can't afford medical care for every human being," Wilker said. "It's a human right and everyone deserves to have medical care regardless of their income."

The protest was partially aimed at Dunn, a Panama City Republican who voted in favor of the AHCA earlier this month and has an office at the Government Center. Dunn spoke about the Republican effort to do away with the ACA, which increased Medicaid expenses, during a luncheon for the Bay Building Industries Association in April.

No one can be denied, kicked off or charged more for coverage because of a pre-existing condition under the AHCA, Dunn's communications director, Shelby Hodgkins, said in a statement issued before the protest.

"Obamacare is what's hurting Americans, with lost coverage and skyrocketing premiums and deductibles. One-third of the counties in America have only one Obamacare insurance provider, and next year there may be none. Premiums are set to rise up to 50 percent next year," Hodgkins said. "The American Health Care Act will remove one-size-fits-all Washington mandates and give Americans the freedom to have plans that meet their needs at a cost they can afford."

Dunn was not in his Panama City office Wednesday, Hogkins said.

But despite his absence, protesters still had heated words for Dunn, such as Linda Macbeth, who came to the die-in wearing skull face paint. While Dunn said people with pre-existing conditions won't be left out, Macbeth said they will be based on the conversations she's had with others.

"It was shock, total shock" when the AHCA passed the House, Macbeth said. "We really thought it had gone to bed. It was total shock they pushed it through like that and then to have representatives say they hadn't read the bill is just appalling to me."

Macbeth said she would like to see the ACA stay in place.

Wayne Smith, another protester, also said he would like to see the ACA stay in place -- but with some improvements. He also was concerned people with pre-existing conditions would lose coverage and said based on what he's seen so far Republicans can't and shouldn't try to introduce an alternative.

"They promised that the premiums would go down. I don't believe that and I don't think most people do," Smith said. "What I've seen so far -- they don't know what they're doing."

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