In the push for universal health care, every bit of support which can be squeezed out of the Senate is "bleeping golden".
With the news of a viable plan for a public healthcare option now in the hands of Senate Democrats, the time is ripe for action on our part. I'm here to point out a new, but weak point of support which needs reinforcement from all of us, and especially from fellow cheesehead constituents of Wisconsin - Senator Herb Kohl.
If you have ever dealt with Wisconsin's senior Senator, you are aware that Herb Kohl specializes in being long on analysis, but sparse on commitment regarding any controversial issues. Healthcare doesn't even make it onto the "hot topics" list on his website.
I have often been frustrated with the long-awaited responses to my inquiries going into great detail on issue background and analysis, but never actually getting to the "I am committed to" part. This is in stark contrast to the timely and pointed responses I invariably get from Wisconsin's junior Senator, who is already solidly in favor of a public option.
That's why I was more than a bit surprised to read this line toward the end of today's update email newsletter from Senator Kohl:
Ideally, I think health reform should include some type of a public option. After all, millions of seniors are happy with their government-sponsored Medicare coverage.
I know this statement is highly disclaimed ("ideally", "should", "some type"), but this is as close to commitment as I have experienced Herb Kohl to get, so I want to take every possible advantage of it, and if you care about the viability of a public healthcare option, you should too.
Only a couple days ago, this is where Senator Kohl was on a public option:
Kohl says having a public option to employer-based health care is still being considered.
Senator Kohl is an unabashed member of Evan Bayh's "conservadem" group, so getting Kohl onboard for the push to enact a public healthcare option could successfully navigate that tough inroad toward the tipping point many of us progressives are working so hard to reach.
Call or email Senator Kohl with your appreciation for his venturing beyond simple consideration and openly stating that he thinks we should have a public option. This is especially important for Wisconsinites to do, but every bit of help from all quarters will benefit us all. The shift in his most recent statement could be a feeler for Kohl to elicit public responses. Make sure he hears your response.
I was reminded just last weekend by Senator Feingold just how seriously the tallies of phone calls are taken by Senators. I have taken Feingold's advice seriously, and have already called Senator Kohl's office today to show appreciation and support for his statement in support of a public option, and I expressed my expectation that this is a solid commitment on his part.
Please join me in pushing the public option over the top.
Here's the contact info. Please use it while the positive thoughts toward a public option are fresh in Senator Kohl's mind.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at kohl.senate.gov or at 1-800-247-5645.
Here's the entire text of today's newsletter from Senator Kohl so you can get a feel for the context and pick up some points to reinforce your contact.
It would also be helpful to read slinkerwink's diary analysis of the Senate's HELP bill vs. the House Tri-Committee draft.