U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made it official today and announced that he would move a health care reform bill to the senate floor that includes a public option - with an opt-out for those states that decide through a legislative process that they wish not to participate. The Washington Post reports:
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) announced Monday that he will seek to bring a health-care bill to the Senate floor that includes a government insurance plan, a major reversal from just two weeks ago, when Reid was leaning against the idea.He also called for the bill to include a version of the so-called public option with an clause that would allow states to decide by 2014 not to participate in the government plan.
"The best way to move forward is a public option with the opt-out provision for states," Reid told reporters, adding that he "clearly" believes that such a bill would have "the support of my caucus."
The White House offered a strong statement of support (via Politico):
“The President congratulates Senator Reid and Chairmen Baucus and Dodd for their hard work on health insurance reform. Thanks to their efforts, we’re closer than we’ve ever been to solving this decades-old problem. And while much work remains, the President is pleased that at the progress that Congress has made. He’s also pleased that the Senate has decided to include a public option for health coverage, in this case with an allowance for states to opt out. As he said to Congress and the nation in September, he supports the public option because it has the potential to play an essential role in holding insurance companies accountable through choice and competition."
This is not the clear cut victory progressives have hoped for but it is a step forward - a huge step forward - and I believe fully that we wouldn't have come this far and changed the majority leader's mind if it hadn't been for the strong advocacy efforts of progressives everywhere.
Religious leaders from across the country have been particularly active and there efforts should be noted.
There is still a lot of work to do. Both the House and Senate need to pass bills (the House bill should include a stronger public option and that gives us even more political leverage). So don't stop working now. Write your Senate and House members - even if you've done it before - and tell them to send a bill to the president's desk that includes a public option.
