June 4
Here’s the letter PDF from the Congressional Progressive Caucus fyi. Some but not all have stayed firm on their pledge to reject a bill that does not contain the public option. They say:
The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) stands united in the call to provide high quality, affordability, and accessibility in healthcare choices for all Americans. As you are aware, the overwhelming majority of CPC Members would prefer a single-payer approach. If a single-payer plan is not enacted, we agree with President Obama that there must be a robust public health insurance option like Medicare offered alongside the private plans….
The CPC believes the public plan should provide a guarantee of coverage, affordable, high-quality and accessible healthcare, and lower costs regardless of income, health status, race, employment, or gender. We strongly oppose any conditions or triggers undermining and limiting the availability of the public option.
July 30
Health Care Update: 57 House Progressives Won’t Vote for Blue Dog Compromise
Earlier today Jane reported that House progressives signed a letter stating they won’t vote for the Blue Dog compromise.
Aug 27
Where Do Possible Kennedy Successor Stand on the Public Plan?
Among those mentioned to succeed Ted Kennedy in the Senate are five members of the House. Where do they stand on the public plan?
Stephen Lynch — hasn’t endorsed, only if it can be paid for. District is PVI D+11.
Michael Capuano — signed the letter pledging to vote “no” through conference on any bill that doesn’t have a public plan
Edward Markey — supports single payer but won’t pledge to vote against any bill without a public plan. District is PVI D+15.
James McGovern — signed the letter pledging to vote “no” through conference on any bill that doesn’t have a public plan
William Delahunt — signed the letter pledging to vote “no” through conference on any bill that doesn’t have a public plan
Blue Mass Group has congratulated Capuano, Delahunt and McGovern for being out in front on health care.
Stephen Lynch’s office: 617-428-2000.
Ed Markey’s office: 781-396-2900, 508-875-2900.
Sep 4
Obama asks liberals to compromise Public Option, TPMdc
…the President is feeling out how willing House Democrats will be to support a bill that falls short of meeting their earlier demands for a Medicare-like public option available to consumers nation-wide, without any triggers. As I reported earlier today, Obama’s set to meet with progressive House leaders Tuesday ahead of his big health care speech before Congress. That’s shaping up to be an extremely crucial meeting.
Sep 6,7,8
Call, Fax or Email your representative and senator today, tomorrow or Tuesday and ask them to be firm in supporting the public option. Calling or faxing is more effective than e-mail. E-mail is more effective than not communicating to your representative in government at all.
If it is not clear, the public option is a pivotal battleground in the effort for effective universal health care reform with a national non-profit health insurance option. Non-profit and efficient is important to taxpayers who will be underwriting bloated health care costs for the poor. Competition is important to purchasers of health care insurance who have seen their premiums rise faster than gas prices. Public Option is not be the only way to provide non-profit universal coverage but it is the latest battlefield on which opponents of HCR have chosen to fight reform.
BMG has congratulated Capuano, Delahunt and McGovern for being out in front on health care. You could too.
10 Rep. Bill Delahunt, tel:(202) 225-3111, fax: 202-225-5658 E-mail
03 Rep. James P. McGovern, tel:(202) 225-6101, fax: 202-225-5759 E-mail
08 Rep. Michael E. Capuano, tel:(617) 621-6208, fax: 617-621-8628 E-mail
Sen. John F. Kerry, phone:(202) 224-2742, fax:(202) 224-8525 Email
05 Rep. Niki Tsongas, tel:(202) 225-3411, fax: 202-226-0771 E-mail
04 Rep. Barney Frank, tel:(202) 225-5931, fax: 202-225-0182 E-mail
01 Rep. John W. Olver, tel:(202) 225-5335, fax: 202-226-1224 E-mail
06 Rep. John F. Tierney, tel:(202) 225-8020, fax: 202-225-5915 E-mail
02 Rep. Richard E. Neal, tel:(202) 225-5601, fax: 202-225-8112 E-mail
09 Rep. Stephen F. Lynch, tel:(617) 428-2000, fax: 202-225-3984 E-mail
07 Rep. Edward J. Markey, tel:(202) 225-2836, fax: ? E-mail
A draft
for your consideration. Please crib at will.
Dear Congress[wo/man] _____
Please deliver on change we can believe in. I support health care reform with a public plan to provide an option, and competition in the market, and price pressure on for-profit insurance companies.
This option should exist now, as part of health care reform on day one, not in five years and only after Republican-authored triggers are met.
We already know how free market/unregulated health insurance company’s act – they act in the interest of their shareholders, maximizing profit oftentimes in ways contrary to the interests of their customers and with no regard to the effect of their business decisions on the health and well-being of American citizens. You’ve heard the stories and so have I.
When I voted for you and Barack Obama, I voted for the health care reform and the public option. That’s the President’s plan, that’s the Democratic Party’s policy position; that’s the change I believe in.
Democrats, Independents and even some Republicans voted for a Democrat in the White House, an unassailable majority in the house and a 60 senator majority in the Senate. If we can’t get health care reform with the public option done now, when can we?
Please don’t allow manufactured discontent by political opponents of health care reform, and their toady FOXNews Corp watchers and Lyndon Larouche bigots, defeat our best chance for success for universal health that keeps costs down on day one.
(crossposted at seminal.firedoglake)
