Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ)–co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus–was not in attendance at today’s health care bill unveiling. But his office sends over the following quote, suggesting that he plans to continue his push for a strong public option, even though the base House bill doesn’t go as far as he’d like.
“I am not rolling over. I will insist on a Medicare-plus-five amendment on the Floor so that the full Caucus can vote on it. We are hopeful that the Rules Committee will allow this amendment, which has tremendous public support, to be voted on for the record.”
Grijalva has been leading the charge in the House for a robust public option, suggesting that progressives might defect from the final bill if the plan isn’t tied to Medicare reimbursement rates. We’ll keep an eye out for his next move.