Braley’s Populist Caucus weighs in
Rep. Bruce Braley
The Populist Caucus founded by U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley is weighing in on the debate over whether to include a public option in a health care reform bill.
In a letter signed by Braley and 16 others, the caucus asks the Democratic leadership to “take the necessary steps to include a strong public option in any healthcare legislation brought before the House.”
It calls the public option a “middle road to health care reform.”
The letter, while firm, isn’t as strongly worded as the ones progressives have sent saying they won’t vote for a health care plan without a public option. Fifty-seven House Democrats, including Rep. Phil Hare, sent such a letter in July.
Hare also signed the Populist Caucus letter. So did Reps. Dave Loebsack and Leonard Boswell.
Here’s the text of the letter:
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives
H-232, US Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515
The Honorable Steny Hoyer
Majority Leader, U.S. House of Representatives
H-107, US Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer:
Thank you for your leadership as we work towards comprehensive healthcare reform. As members of the Populist Caucus, we write in support of a strong public option as a vital part of any healthcare reform bill that is passed by the House. This option should compete on a level playing field with private insurance, maintain a minimum standard of benefits, provide quality care, reimburse providers equitably and adequately, and address current geographic disparities.
Over the past decade, increasing healthcare costs have outpaced inflation, raising costs and lowering the quality of life for many American families who struggle to afford their medical care. The House’s work to date on healthcare reform is commendable and shows promise at fixing a system which will only grow more expensive and less responsive to the needs of patients if unchecked. To ensure a check on the current system, and to have maximum effect, any healthcare reform considered by the House should contain a public option.
The public option is an effective compromise and stands as a middle road to health care reform, allowing citizens who enjoy their current coverage to keep private insurance, while providing a quality, lower cost alternative to interested citizens.
Once more we ask that you take the necessary steps to include a strong public option in any healthcare legislation brought before the House. Thank you again for your continued leadership and please feel free to contact us if we can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Bruce Braley, Chairman, Populist Caucus
Peter DeFazio, Vice-Chair, Populist Caucus
Keith Ellison, Vice Chair, Populist Caucus
Betty Sutton, Vice Chair, Populist Caucus
Bob Filner
Leonard Boswell
Jan Schakowsky
Michael Michaud
Lloyd Doggett
Phil Hare
Hank Johnson
Steve Kagen
David Loebsack
Carol Shea-Porter
Peter Welch
John Yarmuth
Eric Massa
If health care costs were out of control, another carrier would open and push prices down.
TANSTAAFL – you can’t pay out more than is taken in, it doesn’t work.
Has the federal government run one successful program? Medicare, SS, USPS are all running deficits. Federal highways? I35 ring a bell? I80 and I74 aren’t exactly doing so hot either.
The size and power only leads to fraud and corruption.
Ky
2 Oct 09 at 9:35 pm