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A letter to Nancy Pelosi signed by 51 Democrats indicates that they support a public option (PDF). No surprises really. There are 5 Blue Dog signatories: Boswell, Schiff, Thompson, Michaud and Harman. They had already been public in their support for a public option, but it’s nice to know that they haven’t been sliding down that slippery slope known as Blue Dog "principles."
September 30, 2009
Dear Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer:
We write to reiterate our strong commitment to health insurance reform legislation that includes a robust public health insurance option that will provide greater choice and lower costs for American consumers by injecting much needed competition into the health insurance marketplace.
A critical goal of health care reform should be to lower costs for individuals, small businesses and the federal government. In 1980, the U.S. spent more than $250 billion, or 9 percent of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP), on health care. In the decades since, that figure has grown to more than $2.2 trillion (16.2% of GDP). By 2018, it is expected to nearly double again to $4.3 trillion (20.3% of GDP). Also during this time, the American people have seen premiums more than double since 2000 while wages have stagnated. Our families and small businesses have paid the hidden costs — to the tune of approximately $1,100 per family — that are the result of subsidizing treatment of the uninsured. These facts underlie the need for the public option and health insurance coverage for all American as the best way to reform our inefficient and bloated health system, and reduce the burden placed on America’s families, small businesses and the federal budget.
The public option is not a pathway to government-run health care for everyone, it is simply another choice for people who need health insurance. We fail to see any reason why we should not seek to increase Americans’ health insurance options.
When weighed against other ideas, the public option remains the most effective tool to bring about competition, choice, efficiency, transparency and cost reduction in the marketplace. Thank you for considering our views and recognizing the need for a strong public option in any health reform legislation that comes to the House floor.
Sincerely,
1. Diana DeGette
2. Lois Capps
3. Chris Murphy
4. Jared Polis
5. Mary Jo Kilroy
6. Mark Schauer
7. Pal Tonko
8. Kurt Schrader
9. John Sarbanes
10. Betty Sutton
11. Ed Perlmutter
12. Kathy Castor
13. John Yarmuth
14. Peter Welch
15. Carol Shea-Porter
16. Joe Courtney
17. Steve Cohen
18. Joe Sestak
19. Jane Harman
20. Gene Green
21. Adam Schiff
22. Ed Markey
23. Steve Israel
24. Mike Michaud
25. Rush Holt
26. DavidWu27. Jay Inslee
28. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz
29. Neil Abercrombie
30. Steve Rothman
31. Mike Doyle
32. Jim Langevin
33. Charlie Gonzalez
34. Gregory Meeks
35. Doris Matsui
36. Nita Lowey
37. Gary Ackerman
38. Howard Berman
39. Patrick Kennedy
40. David Price
41. Anna Eshoo
42. Norm Dicks
43. Eliot Engel
44. Laura Richardson
45. G.K. Butterfield
46. Leonard Boswell
47. Mike Thompson
48. Martin Heinrich
49. Gerald Connolly
50. Dan Maffei
51. Judy Chu
17 Comments
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Last stand at the PO Corral before capitulation?
taking away the 5 Blue Dogs, these sure as hell aren’t the 46 in Grijalva’s count now are they ?? funny how there’s no mention of reimbursement rates, looks to this ol waitress like the write-the-letter-then-vote-for-Leadership’s-’pilot programs’ contingent -
No McDermott???
No Anthony Weiner?
would that explain Debbie W-S on that list?
BTW, let me just say this now: I don’t believe anything Harry Reid says about the PO or about anything.
Terrific. I guess that means the House now has 92 votes for a strong PO. No?
I thought Keith Ellison would be on that list…
Has anyone else seen what open Left is now reporting. They’re saying that the whip count only went down because it was incomplete. They stopped it and started a new more complete count to see how many Democrats support linking the PO to Medicare. Apparently the number is AT LEAST 170!
http://www.openleft.com/diary/…..er-than-46
I’m so glad Lois Capps signed that. I’m not in her district, but when she first ran after her husband died, I sent her a (fat) check. I was afraid I was going to have to regret it.
I’ve been calling Schiff’s office regularly to urge him to vote for no bill without a Public Option, and I’m happy to see his name here.
not necessarily so.
per the CPC Co Chairs Grijalva and Woolsey, we have 46 pledged to hold out for a robust PO, we readers will find out Monday who they are. per my comment above, I don’t believe many of these names will be among the 46. Only 2 of them signed the Sibelius Letter
Leadership is floating some ‘experimental’ and ‘pilot programs’ as an end around the PO – I’m worried this letter is “a doctor’s note” to eventually vote for some incredibly weak but sounds good pos bill that WH and Leadership are foisting on the House. and of course it will have some PO sounding language to jibe with their letter
I could be wrong, maybe they really mean it this time, but too many of these folks make up the core of both our failures and betrayals with House Dems
Oh, Jesus H. Keerist.
If I’ve offended anybody…
Nope, I don’t trust any of ‘em either.
cbl2 – why do you say we will find out who the 46 are on Monday? Is that for sure?
Hmmm. Back from the Open Left link: — the 46 count is 3 weeks old? (she shrieked, trying to keep calm). Before this week’s arm-twisting?
But the big curb-your-enthusiasm bit:
The questions asked were different: 1st: Will you vote against a bill without a strong public option?
2nd: Will you vote for a bill with a good public option?
Weasel words used to blow smoke up our culos again.
(geez, was I always this cynical?)
Hope is useless. Obama is a true moderate, until he proves otherwise. How could he not be leading the fight for a STRONG public option. We know the truth, but I cant handle the truth. Shame on Obama. We should be pressuring him directly.He is fighting the fight for rethugs who hate him. I guess money always dictates outcomes.
Here is where I got the 46. Jane mentions finding out who were the 14 defectors from the Sibelius 60 by Monday.
and are we cynical or realists ?
Jane and her team have provided a real time lab of how things really get done for those who have the time to follow closely – looking back, applying what we know now to some of our disappointments in the past – there would have been a lot less head banging on desk, ’cause we would have seen it coming – of course, we’d have done things differently – (you know, like, you signed this damn letter and we’re gonna hold you accountable with your constituents for doing so, so don’t even look in the direction of ‘pilot programs’) as I’m sure we will going forward from this battle
40 solid votes for a robust PO through Conference can still carry the day, and if any of these 51 signees want to get on board, the more the merrier, and again, I will gladly be wrong about anyone of them – but some have bamboozled long enough and are going to find it’s a new day in their districts if they pull their usual sh*
I should add the reporting and wrap ups here have been excellent for those who aren’t able to follow closely
McJoan has more in a friday PM wrap up
Jay Inslee [WA] is new to PO letters. I’m heartened to see him there. Also, Norm Dicks [WA-Boeing]. My guy Jim McDermott [WA-Single Payer] isn’t on the list- probably because of this, “The public option is not a pathway to government-run health care for everyone, it is simply another choice for people who need health insurance.” I hope it’s a pathway – a way to break up insurance carrion monopoly. I mean carrier.