| Yesterday, Change Congress and Democracy for America joined forces in publicizing a pressure campaign against Senator Mary Landrieu for her flip-flopping on the issue of a public health insurance option as part of health care reform. If you want Senator Landrieu to vote for a public health insurance option as part of any health reform legislation, then click here to let her know.
Her staff put out this statement yesterday in response to that campaign:
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.
What is absolutely galling is the fact that Senator Landrieu sees siding with the public on a public health insurance option as a "compromise" on this issue.
When 83% of Americans are supportive of a public health insurance option without even knowing the full details of what such a plan would contain (pdf alert), voting for a public option in a health care reform bill is not compromise, Senator. It's called listening to the voters.
On top of that, Lamar has a great post on the failings of the private health insurance system we currently have, which leaves people to fend for themselves, and bend the law in order to get health coverage. Making tweaks to such a system to keep the private health insurers afloat is NOT the way to go, Senator.
The health insurers are already ripping us off, as we pay twice what other industrialized nations pay for their citizens' health care, and we still have a high infant mortality rate and a lower average age expectancy than much of the industrialized world.
It's time to put the health of the American people first, not the health of the health insurance industry.
Let the Senator know your thoughts on the public option. |
