The West Virginia AFL-CIO, West Virginia Education Association, West Virginians for Affordable Health Care, WV-Citizen Action Group, West Virginia Nurses Association and Organizing for America recognized Rahall Tuesday night at the West Virginia Health Right Building in Charleston.

"We worked very closely with them over a number of years to provide an affordable, accessible, high quality health care for our people," says Congressman Rahall

However, opponents of the measure in the Kanawha Valley also came out to show their displeasure with Rahall's vote. About ten protesters held signs critical of the Congressman's stance last Saturday night.

"The people going inside are here to give him his accolades for having voted 'Yes', but unfortunately, they don't understand that nothing's free in this world," said Republican activist Fred Joseph.

Joseph also took issue with the Congressman coming into the Second Congressional District to receive the award instead of holding the ceremony in his own district.

"He's probably afraid to go into his own district because the folks down there probably feel the same way we do," Joseph says.

Rahall defends his vote saying it was the right choice for West Virginia. He maintains the intent of the legislation is to provide affordable health care options for the people in this state.

"For too many West Virginians, they cannot get health insurance or they find they're being cut off their health insurance. They're facing rationing by the private companies today," Rahall says.