Across Montana today, supporters of national healthcare reform are protesting Congressman Denny Rehberg's "no" vote on current health care reform legislation.

The healthcare reform bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Saturday evening with a vote of 220-215.

Protesters gathered at Rehberg's district offices in Great Falls, Billings, Missoula and Bozeman today, saying the Republican Representative is not participating in the health care debate.

In Great Falls, both sides of the issue were represented.

Jerry Rukavina said, "By the time we get around to addressing some of the things apparently on Mr. Rehberg's schedule, the problem's going to be a lot larger than it is today. I would just encourage rather than him checking out that he participate in the discussion. A 'no' vote just doesn't help any Montanan who currently doesn't have insurance."

Robert Krischel said, "That health care thing isn't about health care. It's about government control of the American people."

A representative from Congressman Rehberg's office says the accusation that Rehberg has not participated in the health care debate is inadequate, noting that, "At 18 listening sessions around the state, and at countless meetings, he has been available to anyone and everyone who wanted to discuss healthcare. He heard from thousand of Montanans, and the vast majority agree that health care reform is necessary but don't want to merely replace an insurance bureaucrat with a more expensive government bureaucrat."