Grijalva: "Anything Less than A Strong Public Option is Unacceptable"

On the eve of the Senate Finance Committee debate over Rockefeller's and Schumer's public option amendments, House Progressive Caucus co-chair Raul Grijalva has a message for Senate Dems, via an op-ed in the DC publication The Hill:

For decades, this country has endured a broken system that restricts and denies coverage when individuals need it most. Everyday, my office hears heartbreaking stories of individuals and families losing their insurance due to pre-existing conditions, bankruptcies and the exorbitant cost of care. Even for those with "good quality" healthcare coverage, the premiums alone force many to choose between medication or food on the table.

Some members of Congress are not making it easy to pass true reform. Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) recently released his version of healthcare reform.

However, his bill fails to meet the most basic principles of healthcare reform. The legislation presented is nothing more than a giveaway to the insurance companies. It is telling that even with the concessions made to the bill, no member of the Senate, including the "Gang of Six," stood with him in support.

The Baucus bill is all about the insurance industry’s bottom line: no teeth in enforcements and regulations, endless patent hoarding for the pharmaceutical industry and laws that rein in citizens to pay these industries the largest transfer of wealth in history.

....

Standing by and praying the insurance companies will develop a conscience can be no more. If we are to ensure that all Americans receive healthcare that is accessible, guaranteed and of high quality, we must include a public option. I will continue to be vigilant on ensuring that the final legislation contains a strong public option that prioritizes people, not corporations.

Anything less is unacceptable.

There's not a whole lot else to say: Senate Dems can either vote with the insurance companies, or they can vote with the majority of the American people.

Also check out the discussion going on in TomP's recommended diary.