Francis Rooney absent, protesters rally for Obamacare in Collier

Feb. 25--More than 200 protesters hoping to meet with U.S. Rep. Francis Rooney instead held posters reading "Democracy means pro-choice" and "Save our Medicare" as part of a nationwide movement to rally Saturday against the repeal of the Affordable Care Act by the Trump administration.

Protesters rallied in front of the Collier County government center in East Naples, where Rooney, has an office. He was scheduled to be speaking Saturday to the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C.

One of the rally's guest speakers, Cyndy Nayer, a health activist from Naples, spoke through a megaphone about the downfalls of cutting the Affordable Care Act, and the importance of reaching out to local representatives. Some passing motorists honked in solidarity.

She started a chant among the crowd that bluntly hinted at the absence of Rooney at the rally: "We're here Rooney, where are you?"

Rooney, R-Naples, has not held a public, town hall meeting during the congressional recess, while many GOP members of Congress held meetings across the country with sometimes hostile constituents.

Related story: Repeal of Affordable Care Act would affect Medicare recipients

He announced he will hold a "tele-town hall" at 4 p.m. Tuesday. To participate, residents of his district must go to his website -- francisrooney.house.gov/contact -- and send an email requesting an invitation.

After the Daily News ran a story Thursday, his office released this statement: "There will be two events -- in Naples at 3 p.m. and in Cape Coral at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 3. The locations are still being finalized." Residents were encouraged to follow social media or visit francisrooney.house.gov for more information to follow.

"We're disappointed," Nayer said. "My goal is to get people with the right information, so that they can talk appropriately to the powers that be whether it be Mr. Rooney, Mr. (Marco) Rubio or Mr. (Bill) Nelson.

"We need to be writing letters, standing on sidewalks and making phone calls to let (our representatives) know we are the people," Nayer added.

President Donald Trump has made it no secret that he wants to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, the signature health care law enacted by then-President Barack Obama.

During a rally this month in Melbourne, Trump said that he plans to reveal a healthcare replacement soon, and said his plan would offer "much better health care at a much lower cost."

The Trump administration is planning to hold a round-table meeting Monday with health-insurance executives at the White House.

Related story: Obamacare repeal threatens public health funding to states

That's not good news for two part-time Naples residents who showed up to Saturday's volunteer-led rally, part of a nationwide movement led by the left-leaning national group Our Revolution in response to the new administration's plans.

Cris Holstrom, 68, from Michigan, said she's always speaking out and fighting for women's rights and affordable health care. In January, she joined a local women's march in Lansing.

"We're progressives that are here to join with others and support the progressive movement against all those Republicans that are trying to get rid of our health care, our right to choose, our public school system, and I could go on and on and on," Holstrom said.

"As a grandparent, I'm worried about what's going to happen in the future for my grandchildren, and the grandchildren of my friends. If they don't have healthcare insurance, it's going to be very scary," said Lenore Nier, 70, of Illinois.

Local members of the Collier County Democratic Executive Committee, the SWFL Resistance Coalition, and Showing Up for Racial Justice of Southwest Florida were also in attendance.

"I'm here to try to center the narrative of people of color. They will be the biggest losers in the repeal of health care, and if we don't all fight together and have each other's backs we're going to lose again," said Ellen Hemrick, a representative of Showing up for Racial Justice.

Related story: Obamacare popularity highest in nearly seven years as repeal talk mounts

Hemrick said she's also going to lose if the healthcare plan is repealed and replaced. She has a chronic progressive condition and said she was able to afford medication under the Affordable Care Act.

"I take some of the most expensive medication out there. The health care and medication I get from (the Affordable Care Act) allow me to be a productive member of society," she added.

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