Small Biz Leaders Call For Public Option On Day Of Health Care Vote

Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT)
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On the day the Senate Finance Committee is expected to take up its final vote on its version of a health care reform bill, small business leaders are rallying across the country in support of the inclusion of a public option in any reform package passed by the committee.

The Main Street Alliance — a coalition of small business owners across the country — is sponsoring today’s rallies, which will bring business owners and lawmakers together in 11 states.

The group says the goal of the rallies is to “urge” members of the committee “and leaders in both chambers to include a public option, true affordability measures, and to replace the flawed ‘free rider’ proposal with fair employer contribution.”

The list of states and rallies, provided by the Alliance today:

• In Washington, small business owners are holding four press conferences around the state, two with Members of Congress, followed by “store to store” walks to engage other business owners.
• In New Jersey, New York and Colorado, small business coalitions are holding press conferences to measure the amount businesses pay for health care now to highlight the urgency of passing reform this year.
• In Illinois and Maine, business owners will take the fight to the doorstep of the insurance companies to call out their unfair practices.
• In Oregon, business owners will deliver thank you cards to Congressional offices to thank their Members for signing onto Sen. Sherrod Brown’s “Dear Colleague” letter in support of a public health insurance option.
• In Montana, small business owners will participate in a call-in day to urge their Senators to support inclusion of a strong public health insurance plan in the bill that goes to the Senate floor.
• In Virginia, the coalition will deliver results of a new small business health care survey highlighting small business owners’ concerns to Congressman Glenn Nye’s local office in Virginia Beach.

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