Voters head to Washington to get answers on health care

COLUMBUS, OHIO — About a dozen voters left for Washington Tuesday to try to get answers to their questions about health care from Senator Rob Portman. The group chartered a bus to meet the senator at an open coffee hour with constituents.

"We'd like to know what's going on and have the opportunity to have some input," said Benita Kahn.

The group said they were concerned about Senate Republicans writing their replacement plan for Obamacare in secret.

"It's very upsetting that they're not even allowing people to know what they're doing," she said.

Ohio State Political Science Professor Dr. Paul Beck said Republicans have skipped the usual process of working on a bill in an open committee. That process often takes months. Republicans are trying to quickly pass a plan despite senators in both parties complaining they haven't seen what's in it. Beck said this process has been far different than how Obamacare was passed.

"It's very different now," Beck said. "What the Republicans are doing in the Senate is really something in my view is totally unprecedented."

Portman answered questions about the Republican health care bill during a conference call with reporters Tuesday.

"I don't think you'll find anyone who knows what's in it," Portman said. "If they do, I'd like to talk to them."

Portman said he wants open hearings on the bill before the Senate votes. His office said in a statement he would be willing to meet with the voters heading to Washington. They called them paid protesters. The activists making the trip said they wish someone was paying for their trip. They said they're paying for the bus and hotel rooms themselves.

"If anyone, George Soros included, wants to send some money my way feel free," said Meryl Nieman with the liberal group Indivisible. "It hasn't happened so far."