Maybe I am missing something, but unless I am wrong, the time has come that we have all been waiting for. President Obama has definitely written a line in the sand by releasing the following press release today.
Reasons why I say this is a line in the sand:
- Obama is showing support for particular legislation. This is a shift.
- Obama is supporting legislation in the House where we know we are more supported/protected by a progressive caucus.
- The statement clearly talks about the public option as among the choices people must have, and it is tied to particular legislation which includes it. UPDATE: Here is the legislation: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/...
UPDATE: And now that I see this other thread pasted below, I know in fact that this is a line in the sand by Obama. Yeah!
http://www.dailykos.com/...
This has been a long process, and the fight seems to only be beginning. During this process so many people on our side (including proponents of single payer health, people who support single payer but recognize the public option is the best we are going to get, etc.) have sometimes lost faith. Some of us have sometimes wondered where is Obama, and where are our leaders, on this all-important issue?
At the best moments, we realized that this was part of a strategy of not getting ahead of what the legislators do. And this, it appears, exactly what Obama was doing.
He has come out clearly saying a public option should be in the legislation. Myself, I am a supporter of single payer, but have recognized realities not of common sense but of base politics that this is not going to happen now. But here I see a clear indication that the public option must be on the table, according to Obama.
Whether I am right or I am wrong or partially right/wrong, now is the time, I believe for us to rally in support of this:
- Recommend NYCEve's and Slinkerwink's diaries so they stay at the top of the recommended categories. (I have no affiliation with either other than being a great admirer on DKos from afar.)
- Do the things these two suggest.
- Call your Reps.
- Donate whatever money you can to the group suggested or to Change Congress (Lessig), Act Blue, Move On, etc. regarding health care reform.
- Tell your friends.
- Less Talk, More Action.
7)We need to have the backs of folks who are doing the right thing on Capitol Hill and at the White House.
Now it's time, it appears, for us to get active and do what we need to do.
Thanks to Kossack Marabout40 for bringing this to attention.
FORGIVE ME FOR PREVIOUS TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES ON THE BLOCKQUOTE AND SOME MISSING TEXT. READ PARAGRAPH 3 TO SEE STATEMENT ABOUT PUBLIC OPTION. REFER TO ORIGINAL LEGISLATION.
White house statement:
For Immediate Release July 14, 2009
Statement by the President on the Health Care Reform Legislation Introduced in the House Today
"For decades, Washington failed to act as health care costs continued to rise, crushing businesses and families and placing an unsustainable burden on governments. But today, key committees in the House of Representatives have engaged in unprecedented cooperation to produce a health care reform proposal that will lower costs, provide better care for patients, and ensure fair treatment of consumers by the insurance industry.
This proposal controls the skyrocketing cost of health care by rooting out waste and fraud and promoting quality and accountability. Its savings of more than $500 billion over 10 years will strengthen Medicare and contribute to our goal of reforming health care in a fiscally responsible way. It will change the incentives in our health care system so that Americans can receive the best care, not the most expensive care. And it will offer families and businesses more choices and more affordable health care.
This proposal will also prevent insurance companies from denying people coverage because of a pre-existing medical condition. It will ensure that workers can still have health insurance if they lose their job, change their job or start a new business. And it includes a health insurance exchange that will allow families and small businesses to compare prices and quality so they can choose the health care plan that best suits their needs. Among the choices that would be available in the exchange would be a public health insurance option that would make health care affordable by increasing competition, providing more choices, and keeping the insurance companies honest.
The House proposal will begin the process of fixing what's broken about our health care system, reducing costs for all, building on what works, and covering an estimated 97% of all Americans. And by emphasizing prevention and wellness, it will also help improve the quality of health care for every American.
I thank Chairmen Rangel, Waxman, and Miller for their hard work on this bill that fundamentally reforms the health care system. As this process moves forward, I look forward to continuing to work with all House members in ensuring this legislation helps all Americans and plays an essential role in reducing deficits and bringing fiscal sustainability to our nation."
http://thepage.time.com/...