Police eject protesters from Senate health hearing

By Associated Press Writer
Associated Press
May 12, 2009

WASHINGTON – Police have ejected five doctors and nurses who back government-run health care after they disrupted a Senate hearing. Dozens of others protested outside.

The protesters says supporters of government-run health care are being excluded from congressional debate. The Senate Finance Committee met Tuesday to debate how to pay for overhauling the nation's health care system.

At the start of the hearing more than a dozen nurses stood in silent protest and turned their backs on Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus as he spoke. They had signs attached to the back of their shirts supporting single-payer — or government-run — health care and protesting industry influence.
After they left, five others stood up, spoke in favor of single-payer, and were taken out by Capitol Police.