Jim Dean (DFA): House will not pass health care without Public Option [View All]

[WI_DEM]

(from e-mail just got)

Over the weekend Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said the Obama administration was open to considering co-ops in a healthcare reform bill. Immediately, insurance-funded media went on the attack. Some reporters called the public option dead -- others "off the table".

The media is wrong... again.

Let's be clear: A Healthcare bill without a public option is D.O.A. in the House. Period.

To pass any bill in the House they need at least 218 votes but 64 House Democrats have stood up and said they will not vote for a bill without a public option. That means a bill without a public option would only have 193 votes.

It's up to us to make sure these Democrats stand strong and never back down in the face of pressure from the insurance industry and insider Democrats. Will you join me in thanking Healthcare Heroes like Donna Edwards from Maryland CD-04 and Chellie Pingree of Maine CD-01 right now?