U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson announced Friday he plans to support the proposed health care reform bill.

The congressman for the Sixth District, which includes Columbiana County and part of Mahoning County, released a written statement from his Washington, D.C. office explaining his support for H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act.

"As we wind down to the final hours of the healthcare debate, I have thought long and hard about what is in the best interest of my district. Emotions have run high on both sides of the issue for many months now and I have listened to a wide range of voices from across my district in order to best inform my decision," he said.

"While the Affordable Health Care for America Act is not a perfect bill, there are benefits in it that are hard to ignore. In my district alone, this bill will help almost 13,000 small businesses provide good healthcare coverage for their employees. It will close the prescription drug donut hole for over 9,000 of our seniors. And it will help 174,000 households in the Sixth District afford better coverage.

"I have always promised my constituents that I will vote in their best interest. There are times that I have disagreed with House leadership when I felt like what they were doing would unfairly punish my district, as was the case with the Cap and Trade bill earlier this year," he said. "I am never afraid to stand up for what is right."

"On this issue, what I believe is right is a health reform bill that will bring stability and security to the health care system, lower the cost of health care, and insure broader coverage. With those goals having been met, I am proud to announce my support for H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act," he said.

Some of Wilson's constituents came knocking on his Washington, D.C. office door Thursday after rallying near the Capitol against the health care proposal. One Columbiana County resident, Linda Harrington of Calcutta, said they met with a pair of Wilson's aides and made it clear to them their mission will be to replace the congressman. A member of the Ohio Valley Tea Party movement, she said their next project will be to send pink slips to Wilson and fellow Ohio Democrat Sen. Sherrod Brown.

Constituents also gathered at Wilson's Boardman office Thursday and planned to return Friday.

The House is expected to bring up the bill for a possible vote this weekend.