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Man has finger bitten off at health care debate
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There have been some productive and also some heated debates here in San Diego and across the country in recent months on President Obama's health care plan. Then there was this debate up the road in Ventura County last night.
A 65-year-old California man had his pinky bitten off by a supporter of President Obama's health care plan during a rally Wednesday evening.
According to authorities in Ventura County, approximately 100 people were demonstrating in support of health care reforms Wednesday on a street corner. One protester went across the street to reportedly confront some 25 counter-demonstrators.
Authorities say the man got into an argument and fist fight, during which he bit off the left pinky of a 65-year-old man who was voicing his opposition to Obama's health care reform.
According to a hospital spokeswoman, the man lost half the finger, but doctors reattached it and he was sent home following treatment.
The reported attacker fled the scene and was not in custody as of Wednesday evening.
As for the injured party, he reportedly has Medicare coverage when it comes to the costs to reattach his finger.
UPDATED 1 P.M. PST: Here is a statement from MoveOn.org, which sponsored the event.
"Yesterday, MoveOn held over 350 peaceful candlelight vigils nationwide, in which tens of thousands of people participated in, to call for immediate action on health care reform including a strong public option.
"We have seen press reports that indicate at one event in Southern California a regrettable act of violence happened. While we do not have any more facts about what happened then what we saw in press accounts, MoveOn condemns violence in all forms. We have seen passions run high on both sides all summer in the health care debate, and we strongly believe that this nation deserves an honest, peaceful and respectful debate about health care reform."
"While we don't know if either party involved was a MoveOn member, we regret any violence that may have occurred yesterday, and we support the Ventura County Sheriff's investigation into the situation. It is our firm hope that this event does not detract from the tens of thousands who were out peacefully making their voices heard for health care reform and a public option."
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