ANDERSON – The director of the Washington Bureau of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People told local members Saturday that they should call their congressmen and urge them to support health care overall.

“We want to eliminate the fear that the uninsured have felt,” Hilary Shelton said.

The much-debated universal health care bill – one of President Barack Obama’s top priorities – passed through U.S. House of Representatives Saturday night. Shelton said in Anderson before the House vote that Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., was not expected to vote in favor of the bill once it reaches the Senate.

“He’s very affable and very genuine,” Shelton said. “But I think he needs help on how he votes.”

Shelton jokingly suggested Lugar might want to peek over the shoulder of Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., when it’s time for voting. Lugar was given a “D” on the NAACP’s report card of the nation’s congressmen. Bayh was given an “A.”

Mayor Kris Ockomon said he and some of his administration would be visiting the senators on Nov. 18 and 19. He will ask Lugar then why he does not support health care overhaul, he said. He will also lobby for the bill.

“We may not have as big a message as maybe Indianapolis, but we want to help send that bill to the president’s office,” Ockomon said.

The health care bill is vital to America and will require no co-payments for preventative doctor visits, make sure insurance companies do not drop someone’s coverage, and allow college students to remain on their parent’s insurance until 26 years old.

Contact Christina M. Wright, 640-4883, christina.wright@heraldbulletin.com.