More than 40 groups join together to oppose Senate healthcare bill, hold online Virtual Vigil

Dec 21 2009

More than 40 groups have joined together to oppose the Senate healthcare bill, and will hold an online "Virtual Vigil" starting at 9 pm tonight and wrapping after the Senate votes around 1 am.

Signatories include those representing millions on the left, right, seniors, tea parties, doctors, libertarians, populists, taxpayer, and patients.

The letter blasts the Senate for laying a $200 billion windfall in mandatory premiums at the feet of the insurance industry:

"Enacting this mandate would be a major victory for the insurance companies at the expense of the American people. It should be no surprise they support the government forcing everyone to buy their product..."

Signatories include: Americans for Tax Reform, Democracy in Action, Citizens for Health, 60 Plus, Campaign for Liberty, Freedomworks, Democrats.com, National Taxpayers Union, Progressive Democrats of America, Association of American Physicians & Surgeons, and the Doctor-Patient Medical Association.

"This transpartisan coalition is a solid sign to the Senate that those polling numbers are real - the majority of the public really does oppose this bill," said Kathryn Serkes, Chair of the Doctor Patient Medical Association, TakeBackMedicine.com and organizer of the vigil. "There is something in it for everyone to despise."

The vigil will be webcast in a talk radio format. The public is invited to call in and each caller will be given at least 2 minutes to tell why they oppose the bill.

EVENT: Healthcare Virtual Vigil

DATE: Dec. 20

TIME: 9 PM EST until the Senate votes at approximately 1 am.