Legal Commentary

Progressive Block Leader Grijalva: No Public Option Means No Health Care Reform

By Big Tent Democrat

Via Brian Beutler, the Chairman of the Progressive Caucus Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) said:

I truly expect the President to live up to the promises he has made to America about real change and that he truly stands for uninsured Americans and working families that need and are demanding a choice of a competitive public option when he addresses Wednesday's joint session of Congress.

Without a public option, this bill is not real reform. Real reform would lower and contain health care costs, precisely what inclusion of a public option would achieve. Without a robust public option, reform will enrich pharmaceutical and insurance companies because it will lack any significant competition and incentives to drive down health care costs for consumers.

I wonder if Beltway Dems are paying attention. Grijalva is saying that President Snowe's health care reform is not worth capitulating for. No bill without a robust public option.

Speaking for me only

Full post as published by TalkLeft on September 03, 2009 (boomark / email).