The University Young Democrats kicked off their health care “Reality Check” week with a health care reform rally, complete with a live band, on Monday.

The “Reality Check” rally featured Lee Goodall, Georgia state director of Organizing for America – a community-organizing project set up by President Barack Obama to help pursue his health care agenda.

Goodall spoke about the administration’s plans for health care and what universal health care means for Americans.

The Tate Center Plaza was filled with large petition signs and brochures containing facts on Obama’s health care reform plans. Supporters could also sign a petition for “Healthcare Reform Now.” Members of Young Democrats answered questions from students about the rally and health care reform.

“Fifty million people live in America without health care,” said Bobby Andres, President of the Young Democrats, to the crowd Monday. “This is a human rights issue.”

Fifty balloons were released moments after the speech. Each balloon represented one million people living in the U.S. without health care. The first balloon released represented the 10 million American children without health care.

The group’s main event this week is a panel discussion on health care reform – held tonight at 7 p.m. in room 153 of the Miller Learning Center. The panel includes various experts on public health.

“The discussion will focus on big issues of health care reform and is open to everyone,” Andres said.

The group will hold an open meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday in room 150 of the MLC to discuss the state of the health care system in America.

The week culminates with “The Democratic Party” on Thursday at The Globe downtown.

“The party is open to everyone and should be a lot of fun,” Andres said.

Through this week the Young Democrats hope to dispel misconceptions about health care reform.

“We want to educate people and give them a reality check,” said Mehul Patel, a senior political science major and executive director of the Young Democrats.

“This is the first time we are going out and pushing the issue,” Andres said. “Health care is something that people are passionate about. It is the most important issue of the 21st century.”

In response to the rally, Chairman of the University’s Young Republicans Greg Wilson wrote in an e-mail to The Red & Black Monday, “it is irresponsible to debate the merits of the health care bill when each side of the equation has different puzzle pieces.”