A local grassroots organization rallied for healthcare reform in downtown Asheville Saturday morning.

It came fresh off the heels of President Barack Obama's "Prescription for American Healthcare" public forum.

"WNC For Change" hosted the event at Pritchard Park, where a large group of people turned out.

Folks from all walks of life came together to deliver the message of the need for single-payer healthcare.

From reading speeches, to carrying signs, to getting people to sign petitions, people did whatever they could to spread the word.

Buncombe County Commission Chair, David Gantt, said we were morally obligated as a country and as individual citizens to make sure that every American has health care.

"My daughter had an instance; she was in Argentina, got part of her face botten off by a dog. She went to the plastic surgeons and got the best health care in Argentina and we didn't have to pay a penny for that. And they had no reason to do that other than it was the right thing to do," said Gantt.

While "WNC For Change's" goal is for Congress to discuss a single-payer healthcare system, the organization is also pushing for a strong public healthcare option that lets Americans choose for themselves.

Paul Choi, director of "WNC For Change" said the signed petitions, supporting President Obama's strong public health care option and a signle-payer healthcare system, were presented to Congressman Heath Shuler and that he had a great reaction to them.

By: Courtney Ward

Healthcare Reform Rally in Downtown Asheville

Posted: Saturday, June 27 2009, 10:11 PM CDT