In a few minutes, Change Congress and Democracy for America are announcing a new pressure campaign aimed at Senator Landieu, including $10,000 in online ads linking to this petition asking her to support a public health insurance option in any health care reform bill that comes out of Congress. If you already support a public option, click here OR on the ad to the right to sign the petition. If you want to know more about this thing, keep on reading!
Last week, Senator Landrieu stated that she didn't support a public option with respect to health care reform, which represents a break with a pledge that she signed back in April to support a comprehensive health care reform bill that included a public health care option.
Yet, after a week of phone calls, emails, letters and faxes deluging her staff, the Senator apparently dug in on her new position: (emphasis added)
Senator Landrieu is committed to reforming the health care system and ensuring that all Americans are covered. She is reviewing all of the reform proposals. Senator Landrieu does not believe that health care reform starts with a public option. However, she is open to compromise in a comprehensive legislative package, and is focused on appropriate consumer protection and patient-centered care.
I wonder why the Senator is so against ensuring that the 850,000 of her constituents that are currently uninsured can receive affordable, patient centered health care via a public health insurance option. MIght it be the $1.6 million that she has received from various entities within the health insurance industry, including HMO's and Big Pharma?
One of those uninsured Louisianans is Karen Gadbois, a breast cancer survivor who has worked tirelessly to highlight the corruption in post-Katrina New Orleans via Squandered Heritage. Karen works full-time, yet still cannot afford health insurance because of her status as a breast cancer survivor.
It's time to let the Senator know that we expect her to vote for her constituents and not her campaign donors. If you want the Senator Landrieu to vote "AYE" on a health care reform bill that includes a public option to help YOU and folks like Karen, then click here OR on the image on the upper right of this post, and sign Change Congress' petition. I already have, and have sent out emails asking my friends to do the same.
If you think that you're alone in your belief that a public option is the way to go ... well, a public health insurance plan is supported by 73% of voters, including 71% of rural voters, even when they hear the sharpest insurance industry attacks. This includes Democrats (77%), Independents (79%) and Republicans (63%). (pdf alert)
Let's leverage that, and flood the Senator's offices with more calls, emails, and petitions this week. Click here to sign that petition!
UPDATE at 12:10 PM: The Senator's office released this statement to me via email: (emphasis added)
Senator Landrieu is committed to reforming the health care system and ensuring that all Americans are covered. She is currently reviewing all of the reform proposals, but does not believe that health care reform starts with a public option. Sen. Landrieu supports a predominantly private system that features a federal backup plan that serves as a safety net. This approach is part of the bipartisan Healthy Americans Act, which she has co-sponsored.
As the debate proceeds, Sen. Landrieu is open to compromise in a comprehensive legislative package, and is focused on appropriate consumer protection and patient-centered care.
Senator, unless the insurance companies have to compete to sign up Americans, coverage will likely not be affordable. Real competition breeds affordability. Make them compete with a public health insurance program.
Folks, the Senator needs to hear from YOU more than ever. Click here to sign that petition! |
