Congressional Progress Caucus Insists on Strong Public Plan

Today, House committee Chairs of Education and Labor, Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means released a discussion draft for health care reform. The Co-Chairs of the Congressional Progressive (CPC), Reps. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) and Raul M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement:

"The release of this language is a first-step in the monumental task we face in developing comprehensive health care reform policy.

"We welcome the draft and will evaluate the language in the upcoming days. In our evaluation, we will pay close attention to the language outlining the public option.

"The Congressional Progressive Caucus has already submitted principles for a public plan that provides a guarantee of healthcare coverage that is affordable, high-quality, accessible and which lowers costs for all consumers, regardless of income, health status, race, employment, or gender.

"As we work with our colleagues toward a final bill, the CPC will be vigilant in ensuring that the bill's public option is robust and is linked to the existing infrastructure of Medicare, in order to maintain transparency and provide consumer protection in its administration, including payment systems, claims and appeals.

"As the largest caucus within the Democratic caucus, the CPC remains united that health care reform must include a robust public plan; we hope that our evaluation of the language in this draft bill upholds our principles."