CPC Pushes for Public Plan Option As Part of Comprehensive Health Care Reform Bill

Congressional Progressive Caucus

                                        http://cpc.grijalva.house.gov           ___________________________________________________________________

                  77 Strong and Growing: Open to New and Different Ideas

                                            April 2, 2009

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi                      The Honorable Harry Reid

Speaker                                                        Majority Leader

U.S. House of Representatives                    U.S. Senate

Dear Madam Speaker and Majority Leader,

Regarding the upcoming health care reform debate, we believe it is important for

you to know that virtually the entire 77-Member Congressional Progressive

Caucus (CPC) prefers a single-payer approach to healthcare reform.  Therefore, it

will come as no surprise as you work to craft comprehensive health care reform

legislation, that we urge the inclusion of a public plan option, at a minimum, in the

final legislation.  We have polled CPC Members and a strong majority will not

support legislation that does not include a public plan option that is supported on a

level playing field with private health insurance plans.

We look forward to working with you to ensure inclusion of a public plan option

and the successful passage of healthcare legislation that will provide a choice of

quality healthcare for all Americans.

                                          Sincerely,

________/S/___________________          ___________/S/________________

Lynn C. Woolsey                                          Raúl Grijalva

Co-Chair                                                        Co-Chair

Congressional Progressive Caucus               Congressional Progressive Caucus