NEW ORLEANS - At Canal Street and Broad, a group supporting President Barack Obama's push for health care reform reached out to folks waiting on a streetcar Friday morning.
Group members handed out flyers, and even cell phones, with the phone numbers of Louisiana's Congressional delegation on speed dial.
"Most people are talking from a personal standpoint. So we are talking to people out here today, many of whom do not have health insurance," said Steven Walker with Organizing for America. "So, their point will be, 'I do not have health insurance, and the reform that's outlined by President Obama will greatly help me.'"
It's a national political battle that has stirred emotions in South Louisiana.
Those on both sides voiced frustrations and concerns at town hall meetings, where overflow crowds met with members of Louisiana's delegation.
Now, all eyes are on Washington, where a final version of the bill is still being hammered out.
With plenty of questions on what the finished draft will look like, some of the state's delegates say they're still undecided on various aspects of the debate.
"In the House, they are trying to combine the different versions together. I know the Senate is working on the Baucus bill, as well as other versions from the House," said Rep. Joseph Cao (R-Louisiana).
After an unrelated press conference in New Orleans Friday, Cao said his primary concern centers around the issue of federally-funded abortions - something he strongly opposes.
He's also keeping an eye on how a new bill would affect small businesses.
Even with a provision surfacing that would exempt some small businesses from the employer responsibility requirement, Cao worries some business owners won't be able to absorb the costs.
"I've spoken to a number of them who are concerned that this additional burden on them will force them either to lay off employees or possibly even go out of business," Cao said.
It's a point echoed by Senator Mary Landrieu (D-Louisiana), who wrote in a recent op-ed piece: "This current situation for businesses in Louisiana and throughout the country is clearly unsustainable. We must find ways to stabilize costs for our innovators, entrepreneurs and job creators."
Cao said he's open to negotiations on many aspects of health care reform, but he says the issue is still far too partisan.
"The level of dialogue that I would like was not there, but I hope that with further negotiations we have in the House, that we will be more engaged," he said.
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