WASHINGTON -- Opponents and supporters of the health care reform law clashed outside the U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday, displaying the gulf that exists between those who favor the law and those who want it abolished.
At times, it verged on the physical, as defenders of Obamacare outnumbered and out-shouted their opposition.
Obama-backer Yasemin Ayarci, 21, a student at George Washington University from Levittown, Pa., who apparently considered a message displayed by the other side hypocritical, confronted an opposing group with her own sign depicting Jesus Christ and a sarcastic message that read: "What sick bastard would want to provide free health care." (See the video.)
"They were just together and a lot of them were holding religious signs," Ayarci told The Huffington Post.
"It's just funny because it's a lot of religious people here that like to follow the words of Jesus Christ, but at the same time they're really not because Jesus was all for healing people and things of that nature," she said. "It's just very hypocritical, so I just wanted to jump in there, and they all had those signs that say Obamacare is socialism, but it's really not. It's Jesus who would have followed Obamacare if he was a person today."
Speakers at the rally had a hard time making themselves heard above the chants of the pro-health care law crowds, and seemed aware they were outnumbered.
"We are surrounded right now by those who will benefit by socialism. We are surrounded by those who will benefit from the government telling you what you must do," said Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) one of the marquee speakers at a Tea Party-organized rally.
"Two years later, this bill has not united our country, it has divided us more than ever. Look around you. We are divided. Not united," Bachmann said.
"I'm under the age of 26, and I am covered under my parents' insurance, so I'm here to show my support for Obamacare," Ayarci said.
Michael McAuliff covers politics and Congress for The Huffington Post. Talk to him on Facebook.
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*The Census Bureau's annual health survey reported that in the Read More... first quarter of 2011 more than 900,000 young adults obtained health insurance. They took advantage of a provision in the new health law allowing them to stay on their parents' insurance until they are 27. It was the first time in years that the share of young adults who were not insured fell.
The growth rate of Medicare spending, the issue that is driving the deficit-reduction war, is declining as hospitals and other providers react to the law's mandates to achieve efficiency and quality. The elderly poor and disabled are paying less for drugs under the overhauled Part D drug program and they will pay even less in January.
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Posted: 03/27/2012 3:29 pm Updated: 03/27/2012 3:40 pm