Over 40 Home Medical Eqiupment Providers, Medicare Beneficiaries and Industry affiliates participated in the Protest Rally at Lake Eola Park in Downtown Orlando.

Local television reporter Greg Fox of the local NBC affiliate WESH Channel 2 interviewed providers and patient Mary Ann Cruse. Mrs. Cruse uses Oxygen continuously. She had Oxygen with another provider that was not giving her the adequate, lightweight equipment she needed. Her previous company gave her a 17 pound E-Tank on a cart and told her that was the lightest oxygen system available.

She brought her "back-up" tank to the rally and explained to the reporter, under competitive bidding her choices maybe limited. She was concerned that she will be stuck with an inappropriate system.

Another reporter, James Gosselin, from Channel 13 Central Florida News also covered the event. As the cameras rolled protesters chanted "STOP THE FRAUD-STOP THE BID", referring to the fact that unlicensed, out of state providers won the bid in the Orlando.

The Orlando Sentinel also had an article in their online addition Monday Afternoon. I would lke to thank everyone that participated especially Respironics for providing refreshments for the protesters.