As the debate over health-care reform continues in Washington, D.C., a conservative organization is bringing the discussion to Cape Girardeau.

Americans for Prosperity is holding a rally at 6:30 p.m. today at Capaha Park. Local business owners and health-care professionals will speak about the national reform movement, said Carl Bearden, director of the Missouri chapter of the organization.

"There are personal stories that are out there that we need to know about and hear about," he said.

While the organization believes health-care reform is necessary, they do not advocate the government taking over the system, he said.

"Government has not proven themselves to run health care efficiently at all," he said.

He said a government-run system would put the private industry out of business.

Glenn Reeves, owner of Horizons Screen Printing and Promotional Services, will be one of the speakers at the event. As the owner of a small business, he said he helps provide private insurance to about 20 employees.

"I just have a real bad feeling about any government program," he said. "They just continue to grow."

He said allowing the sale of insurance policies across state lines and putting limits on malpractice insurance would help reform the industry without government takeover.

"I don't think anybody's against health-care reform," he said.

Americans for Prosperity will be starting two bus tours in August, one on the east coast and one in the Midwest. The tours are intended to encourage dialogue about the health-care debate as members of Congress return home for their summer recess.

The group will stop in Southeast Missouri toward the end of the Midwest tour, with stops in Sikeston and Poplar Bluff on Aug. 27.

abusch@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

Capaha Park