TOPEKA – The free-market grassroots group Americans for Prosperity-Kansas today announced that by mid-week, it is about to surpass 1,000 signatures collected on the Patients First Health Care Petition at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson.

The Patients First petition is a project of Americans for Prosperity, and more than 220,000 Americans have signed the online petition to date. It states that “…Congress should oppose any legislation that imposes greater government control over my health care that would mean fewer choices for me and my family …”

“Americans for Prosperity is focused on real health care reform that puts patients first, and we are certainly concerned about the impact more government control will have on health care,” said AFP-Kansas state director Derrick Sontag. “We believe Americans want and need more health insurance options, not a costly, government-defined plan paid for by taxpayers.

“As we have seen in media reports from around the country, Americans are speaking out against more government interference in their daily lives, especially when it comes to their health care. We brought this message of less government intrusion and more freedom to the Kansas State Fair, and fairgoers have responded positively,” Sontag said.

AFP-Kansas will offer its petition at the Kansas State Fair through Sunday in the Meadowlark Building. To read the full petition or to sign online, visit www.joinpatientsfirst.com.