Slinkerwink has a great post up today discussing the pros and cons of the Senate's HELP committee healthcare bill. And Jason over at HCAN reports that all 13 of the HELP committee Democrats will vote for the HELP bill. Yes, that includes Sen. Kay Hagen who has until now remained quiet on her position.
Lots of great news today, but we still have Insurance Industry Democrats trying to kill a public option.
As Lawrence Lessig has covered before - Ben Nelson was one of those trying to kill reform – about a month ago he called a public option a "dealbreaker". Now's he open to it and "promises" not to back a Republican filibuster.
One by one, we're hitting Insurance Industry Democrats were it hurts – and they're caving.
Who's next? (after the jump)
Mary Landrieu of Louisiana. She's taken more than $1.6 million in contributions from insurance interests and she's not for a public healthcare option. Coincidence? I think not. Here's what Landrieu spokesman Aaron Saunders said in yesterday's Wall Street Journal in response to our joint ad campaign with Change Congress and MoveOn:
"She is currently reviewing all of the reform proposals, but does not believe that health care reform starts with a public option. Senator Landrieu supports a predominantly private system..."
So we're turning up the heat big time with a hard-hitting ad starring Karen Gadbois, a DFA member, Landrieu constituent, breast cancer survivor and local hero for exposing corruption following Hurricane Katrina. She's got a poignant story and special message for Sen. Landrieu – "Whose side are you on?"
CHECK OUT THE AD AND PITCH IN WHAT YOU CAN TO ESCALATE THIS CAMPAIGN
We launched the ad yesterday and the response has been incredible – from the Washington Post to the White House Press pool, everyone is talking about it!
In New Orleans' Times-Picayune yesterday, President Obama had this to say in response to a question about the campaign:
"I can't answer for all the ads that are being run on both sides of the debate... some of the resistance here is the result of many years of panic-peddling when it comes to health care...[but] if we know that the status quo is not working for the people of Louisiana, then the way to persuade the Louisiana delegation to support it is coming up with a plan that is going to be good for the people of Louisiana, and then my hope is that [the Louisiana delegation] is responsive to the needs of the people."
The President went on to make a strong case for a public healthcare option that is supported by 76% of America. It's a real shame that Sen. Landrieu is standing with insurance companies and not with President Obama, Dr. Dean and three-quarters of America.
Let's make sure Sen. Landrieu figures out whose side she's on.
CHECK OUT THE AD AND PITCH IN WHAT YOU CAN TO ESCALATE THE CAMPAIGN
Thank you, everyone here at Kos, for the day in and day out work getting the job done.
Working together, we're going to pass a strong public healthcare option.