President Obama may have acted swiftly to put out the fire Rahm Emanuel set when he suggested the White House might support delaying a public option. But he seems to have missed some embers. The progressive group MoveOn–which has taken an active role in campaigning for the public option–is now urging its members to call the White House and demand they reject the idea of a trigger mechanism altogether.
“President Obama has been speaking out for weeks about the heart of health care reform: a public health insurance option that will lower costs and help cover everyone,” the letter reads.
But yesterday, Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel signaled support for a “trigger” provision–a proposal that would undermine the public option, and put off real reform for years….
Right now, when key committees are finalizing health care legislation, Emanuel’s remarks will only embolden conservative opponents of reform. He should be standing with the majority of Americans for a strong public health insurance option–not disastrous half-measures like the “trigger.”
Can you call the White House switchboard and tell them you’re disappointed in Chief of Staff Emanuel’s comments supporting the “trigger”? Tell them voters want a strong public health insurance option–not half-measures like the “trigger.”
Earlier today, I noted that some reformers remained concerned that the White House hadn’t gone far enough in responding to Emanuel’s comments. You can read the entire letter below the fold.
Dear MoveOn member,
President Obama has been speaking out for weeks about the heart of health care reform: a public health insurance option that will lower costs and help cover everyone.
But yesterday, Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel signaled support for a “trigger” provision–a proposal that would undermine the public option, and put off real reform for years.1
This morning the president reaffirmed his support for a public health insurance option.2 But according to The Huffington Post, Emanuel has been floating the idea of a trigger since January.3
Right now, when key committees are finalizing health care legislation, Emanuel’s remarks will only embolden conservative opponents of reform. He should be standing with the majority of Americans for a strong public health insurance option–not disastrous half-measures like the “trigger.”
Can you call the White House switchboard and tell them you’re disappointed in Chief of Staff Emanuel’s comments supporting the “trigger”? Tell them voters want a strong public health insurance option–not half-measures like the “trigger.”
Here’s where to call:
The White House
Phone: 202-456-1111 or 202-456-1414
Then, please report your call by clicking here:
http://pol.moveon.org/whcalls/index.html
The “trigger” is a trap to kill health care reform. It would delay the public health insurance option for years, even though we’re facing a health care crisis now.4 Without a strong public health insurance option to compete with private insurance companies, health care costs will continue to skyrocket and millions will remain uninsured. And a decision to delay is really a decision to deny: even if the trigger conditions are met years from now, big insurance companies will start the fight all over again to stop the public option from going into effect.
To do the job, we need a strong public health insurance option now, one that is:
* Available to all of us: A strong public health insurance option should be available to anyone who chooses to participate. If you like your current plan, you can keep it; if you want to participate in the public health insurance plan, you can choose to do so.
* A national plan with real bargaining clout: In order to truly control costs and compete with private health insurance plans, a strong public health insurance option must be available nationwide.
* Ready on day one: Every day we wait on real reform, health care costs continue to rise. A strong public health insurance option right out of the gate is key to building a competitive program that will help control costs.
* A truly public plan: To ensure it’s held to the highest standards of accountability, a public health insurance option must be truly publicly run–accountable and transparent to Congress and to voters.
Can you call the White House today and let them know you’re disappointed with Chief of Staff Emanuel’s comments?
Here’s where to call:
The White House
Phone: 202-456-1111 or 202-456-1414
Let us know how it went at this link:
http://pol.moveon.org/whcalls/index.html
Thanks for all you do.
-Nita, Kat, Joan, Matt and the rest of the team
Sources:
1. “White House Open to Deal on Public Health Plan,” The Wall Street Journal, July 7, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51591
2. ” Obama Hasn’t Compromised on the Public Plan. Yet.” The New Republic blog, July 7, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51590
3. “President Tries to Put Out Fire From Emanuel’s Health Care Remarks,” July 7, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51592
4. “A ‘trigger’ for the public health insurance option? Already triggered.” NOW! Blog, May 20, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51443
