Republicans put spotlight on Obamacare critics in Georgia

By Steve Norder GAINESVILLE, Georgia (Reuters) – Republicans went to the American South on Monday to press their opposition to President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law in a U.S. congressional hearing that the law's supporters called a one-sided political attack. The hearing, chaired by Republican Representative Rob Woodall of Georgia, heard from witnesses picked by the panel's Republicans who said that the healthcare law – intended to help millions of uninsured and under-insured people get affordable medical insurance – actually will raise insurance costs and reduce coverage choices for many people in rural America. Michael Boyette, a 28-year-old businessman from Ellijay, Georgia, said his insurance premium was increasing by almost $200 per month for his family of three. This is not affordable to me." Supporters of the law, also known as Obamacare, complained that the hearing was merely the latest attempt by Republicans to denigrate it.