The Public Option is Gaining Momentum!

Thanks to the gutsiness of some freshman senators, a movement has begun to urge Senate Democratic House Majority Leader Harry Reid to reinsert the public option into the Health Care Reform Package, and pass the bill under House budget reconciliation rules. Reconciliation is a procedure that would allow a simple up or down vote with a majority of 51 Senators. There is NO filibuster allowed with reconciliation. These gutsy senators are Jared Polis (D-Colo) in photo left, Chelli Pingree (D-Maine) and Michael Bennet(D-Colo). They did not "run for the hills" in the aftermath of the Scott Brown debacle in Mass. They wrote a letter to Harry Reid, and so far 14 senators have signed on, and 40 have pledged support.

Even if there are not enough votes for a public option, an alternative would be to pass a Medicare buy-in which would allow people age 55+ to buy into a public plan. This idea was killed by douchebag senator Joe Lieberman(I-CT) who said he would filibuster any bill that included an expansion of Medicare. Well, sorry Joe, you cannot filibuster under reconciliation rules. So, come on Dems, let's get this done now. Polls have shown that the majority of Americans want to be able to choose a public option, which would lower costs for consumers. The recent 39% rate hike by Anthem BlueCross persuaded CA Senator Dianne Feinstein to sign on for real reform, and urge Harry Reid to include the public option. SCHIP, which is a really great government run healthcare insurance plan for kids, and a major health care reform bill, was passed through the House reconciliation process. So it is possible.

Sign a petition to demand a public option. http://www.citizensforapublicoption.com/
Democrats can get this done since they are the majority. Don't run for the hills wearing wet panties. Get this done NOW for the people.

Photo: Jared Polis (D-Colo)