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Skelton chided for vote on health care bill

A Cadillac was used to protest Congressman Ike Skelton's (D, Mo.) vote against his own party's health care bill.
Marshall Griffin, St. Louis Public Radio
A Cadillac was used to protest Congressman Ike Skelton's (D, Mo.) vote against his own party's health care bill.

By Marshall Griffin, St. Louis Public Radio

Jefferson City, Mo. – Missouri Democratic Congressman Ike Skelton is taking some heat for voting against his own party's health care reform bill that passed late Saturday.

About a dozen protesters showed up outside Skelton's Jefferson City office today. Some of them arrived in a Cadillac, to symbolize what they call the "Cadillac of insurance plans" Skelton and other members of Congress have.

Robin Acree heads the group Grass Roots Organizing, or GRO.

"We would like to have health care be a right in this country, not a privilege...this historical event that happened Saturday moves us towards health care for all, but isn't the end-all," Acree said.

In a statement released after Saturday's vote, Skelton said that he opposes the creation of a "government-run public option," and he expressed concern over how the legislation would impact rural hospitals and doctors.

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