Congressional Progressive Caucus Letter to President Barack Obama on Health Care July 22, 2009

[Better Believe It]

Congressional Progressive Caucus Letter to President Barack Obama on Health Care


July 22, 2009

The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States of America
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC

Dear President Barack Obama,

On behalf of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, we write to you regarding healthcare reform.

Thank you for your leadership on this issue and for prioritizing the working poor in accessing guaranteed, affordable and quality healthcare.

We have been watching and engaging in the healthcare debate over the past five months and we were particularly encouraged by your commitment to the public option.

As the healthcare proposal continues to move forward in the House and Senate, we ask that you continue your commitment to the inclusion of a strong public option and do not weaken the language that has already passed through two committees.

Let us be clear: a strong public option is already a compromise for the CPC. Many of us strongly supported a single-payer approach. We will not support a weakened public option.

The Congressional Progressive Caucus stands united to provide high quality, affordability and accessibility in healthcare choices for all Americans.

The Congressional Progressive Caucus 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.

We look forward to our continued involvement in the process.

http://blog.buzzflash.com/alerts/687

[ProSense]

1. When people make sense.

Thank you for your leadership on this issue and for prioritizing the working poor in accessing guaranteed...Let us be clear: a strong public option is already a compromise for the CPC. Many of us strongly supported a single-payer approach. We will not support a weakened public option...The Congressional Progressive Caucus 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.

[mike_c]

2. the trolls unrec'd this right away....

K&R, for the progressive coalition! They speak for me!

[xchrom]

3. ...

'Let us be clear: a strong public option is already a compromise for the CPC. Many of us strongly supported a single-payer approach. We will not support a weakened public option.'

[Lifelong Protester]

4. liked this and hope my 'rec' undos an 'unrec'.

Progressives all the way!

[bvar22]

5. Another "rec" for the Progressive Caucus.

Now @ +9

HR 3200 currently in The House and scored by the CBO does NOT meet these requirements.

HR 3200 prevents those currently getting their Health Insurance from their employer from accessing the Public Plan even if it is cheaper and offers better coverage.

HR 3200 is very "weak" enrolling LESS than 10 Million by 2019 (according to the CBO) while everyone else will be MANDATED into For Profit Plans.

[pleah]

6. K&R

Let us be clear: a strong public option is already a compromise for the CPC. Many of us strongly supported a single-payer approach. We will not support a weakened public option.

Right on!

[Still Sensible]

7. Why would somebody unrec this? I believe even

moderate democrats on this site want, at the very least, to have a strong public option. Is anybody here--except perhaps single payer folks who don't want anything less--opposed to a public option or in favor of a delayed trigger?

[Better Believe It]

8. Yes there are people here who will settle for far less than ANY kind of "public option,"

They share the "concerns" of "blue dog" and "centrist" Democrats who rather not have any kind of public option.

[nightrain]

9. Rec. Excellent. Thank you for posting it.

[Better Believe It]

10. You're welcome