Here is the one thing you should do this week to help the public option pass: Call Diane Feinstein’s office.
If you live here in SF, tell Feinstein’s aide who answers the phone: “I am a constituent in the city where Senator Feinstein got her start, San Francisco. My city has health coverage for all residents. I want for all Americans what we San Franciscans have: a public option that helps to ensure the health of all citizens. Senator Feinstein has a long history of supporting health care bills. Please tell her to support the public option on my behalf. Thank you.”
I make this pledge today: If Reid does not stand up for the public option in the Senate, I will not financially support him in his reelection next year. If he takes a bold stand and gets a public option into the Senate bill, I will donate money to Mr. Reid’s reelection campaign. Simple enough.
Bob Dole recently gave a speech in which he supported healthcare reform: “This is one of the most important measures members of Congress will vote on in their lifetimes,” Dole said, according to the Kansas City Star. “I want this to pass… I don’t agree with everything Obama is presenting, but we’ve got to do something.”
Other Republicans who’ve endorsed healthcare reform are: Bill Frist (former Republican Senate leader) Tommy Thompson (former Gov of Wisconsin and Bush’s HHS Secretary) Mike Bloomberg (Republican turned Independent Mayor of NYC)
“None of that is likely to make any difference in terms of attracting votes from Republicans in Congress now, of course. The current GOP caucus in both the House and Senate has made it clear that’s not in the cards. But the more support from prominent Republicans the legislation draws, the likelier it is that independent voters watching from home will feel comfortable with the reform proposals. And the more comfortable voters are with the reform proposals, the more comfortable moderate Democrats will be. So expect to hear quite a bit about all these various endorsements as the legislation moves along.”
The Kaiser Family Foundation has a fascinating report on the costs of healthcare. Their report, released on September 15, 2000, is based on their research and analysis of the industry over the last ten years. Here’s the press release. And, here’s the report. Check out this little tidbit:
Since 1999, premiums have gone up a total of 131 percent, far more rapidly than workers’ wages (up 38 percent since 1999) or inflation (up 28 percent since 1999).
Robert Reich is one of my heroes. Here, he explains the public option in under three minutes. And, he underscores who the big money interests are that want to defeat it. Finally he says the only way to get reform is to call your representatives. He says, “Make Your Voices Heard. This is your last chance.” With that in mind, find the contact information of your representatives here and CALL THEM.
Feinstein and health care:
