The New York State Democratic Committee held their fall business meeting yesterday and today in Buffalo. One of the things that came out of the meeting was the passage of a resolution that expresses support for a strong public option and calling on Senator Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand to oppose Senator Max Baucus's health care plan.
The resolution might be a little hard to read in the image below, but after the picture I have the full text:
Whereas, The New York State Democratic Committee has numerous resolutions supporting single payer; and
Whereas, any real step toward single payer must include a strong public option (no triggers, no coops, government ability to negotiate with drug companies, rates tied to Medicare rates, and uniformity across the Country); and
Whereas, insurance companies (who seek to retain their profits) are the prime opponents of single payer; and
Whereas, the Baucus Plan will make insurance companies stronger and increase industry profits by forcing everyone to buy insurance from private insurance companies; and
Whereas, it is difficult now to counter insurance companies and pass single payer, making insurance companies stronger will make the passage of single payer impossible;
Therefore be it resolved, That the New York State Democratic Committee urges Senators Schumer and Gillibrand to oppose the Baucus Plan. We must move forward rather than take a step backwards. This bill in its current form will enrich insurance companies and impoverish the American people.
This is an important resolution and a big statement by one of the largest state parties in the country. It states not only support for a public option and health care reform, but also states opposition to the Baucus plan.
It is time for real reform, not bills dressed up as reform that are written by senators like Baucus who was bought and paid for by the insurance companies.
Kudos to the New York State Democrats for taking a clear stand today.