CRITICAL CONDITION: AARP, American Cancer Society endorses House bill

PORT RICHEY, FL -- Today exercise happens in the backyard.  But, typically George and Della Rosenthal say they hit the gym.

"We go to silver sneakers and we also have the Zumba dance," Della says.

Gym memberships are one of the perks of their Medicare Advantage Plans.

"They've covered everything that we've had to have," George says.

But, the plans could get trimmed if the Democrats health care bill passes, one of the major criticisms of the bill.

However, the Port Richey couple, like nearly 3 million Floridians, are also members of AARP which today officially endorsed the House health care bill.

"The House plan includes comprehensive health care reform and ensures that people will have access to the doctors they need when they need them.” says Kevin Donnellan with AARP.  

AARP made the announcement in Washington D.C. and via satellite to field offices across the country, including one in St. Petersburg.

At the same time they endorsed the bill, protesters took to the streets of Tampa and Tallahassee.

"We're here to stop this bill, stop the vote from happening," says Sharon Culvert.

Culvert says she doesn't want a government hand in health care, a key component of the house bill. Medicare is a government run health program.

But George and Della aren't protesting today, despite pending cuts and many unknowns they say they have bigger worries.

"I have kids, the wife has kids and some of them have had trouble losing their job, losing their home. I think that's very important," George Rosenthal says.

The second major endorsement today came from the American Cancer Society.

The endorsements are fueling the Democrats who reportedly believe they have the votes in the house they need to pass this bill. They are scheduling a vote for Saturday.