45 Senators For The Public Option?

Yesterday I learned that Senators Cantwell, Snowe, Dorgan, Reid and Udall had all announced their support in recent days and weeks for a public option. Those five and Al Franken get added to the 37 that Dr. Howard Dean has listed as public option supporters on his whip site Stand With Dr Dean Dot Com. The 44th on the list is Kay Hagan who came out in favor of the public option a few weeks ago.

Here are the fifteen Senators who have not confirmed to voting yes or no for a public option: Baucus, Bayh, Begich, Bennet, Byrd, Carper, Conrad, Feinstein, Lincoln, Nelson (FL), Nelson (NE), Pryor, Tester, Warner and Wyden.

What do we know about these fifteen?

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Here are the contact numbers for those Dems who have yet to state strong public opposition or support for the public option.

Sen Max Baucus D MT
Supports the choice of public Healthcare option? Don't know
Contact information:
Phone: 202-224-2651 | Fax: 202-224-0515
Web: http://baucus.senate.gov | Write: http://baucus.senate.gov/conta...

Sen Evan Bayh D IN
Supports the choice of public Healthcare option? Don't know
Contact information:
Phone: 202-224-5623 | Fax: 202-228-1377
Web: http://bayh.senate.gov | Write: http://bayh.senate.gov/contact...

Sen Mark Begich D AK
Supports the choice of public Healthcare option? Don't know
Contact information:
Phone: 202-224-3004 | Fax:
Web: http://begich.senate.gov | Write: senator@begich.senate.gov

Sen Michael Bennet D CO
Supports the choice of public Healthcare option? Don't know
Contact information:
Phone: 202-224-5852 | Fax:
Web: http://bennet.senate.gov | Write: senator_bennet@bennet.senate.gov
Facebook: Bennet For Colorado

Sen Robert Byrd D WV
Supports the choice of public Healthcare option? Don't know
Contact information:
Phone: 202-224-3954 | Fax: 202-228-0002
Web: http://byrd.senate.gov | Write: http://byrd.senate.gov/byrd_em...

Sen Thomas Carper D DE
Supports the choice of public Healthcare option? Don't know
Contact information:
Phone: 202-224-2441 | Fax: 202-228-2190
Web: http://carper.senate.gov | Write: http://carper.senate.gov/contact/

Sen Kent Conrad D ND
Supports the choice of public Healthcare option? Don't know
Contact information:
Phone: 202-224-2043 | Fax: 202-224-7776
Web: http://conrad.senate.gov | Write: http://conrad.senate.gov/webfo...

Sen Dianne Feinstein D CA
Supports the choice of public Healthcare option? Don't know
Contact information:
Phone: 202-224-3841 | Fax: 202-228-3954
Web: http://feinstein.senate.gov | Write: http://feinstein.senate.gov/pu...

Sen Blanche Lincoln D AR
Supports the choice of public Healthcare option? Don't know
Contact information:
Phone: 202-224-4843 | Fax: 202-228-1371
Web: http://lincoln.senate.gov/ | Write: http://lincoln.senate.gov/cont...

Sen Bill Nelson D FL
Supports the choice of public Healthcare option? Don't know
Contact information:
Phone: 202-224-5274 | Fax: 202-228-2183
Web: http://billnelson.senate.gov/ | Write: http://billnelson.senate.gov/c...

Sen E. Benjamin Nelson D NE
Supports the choice of public Healthcare option? Don't know
Contact information:
Phone: 202-224-6551 | Fax: 202-228-0012
Web: http://bennelson.senate.gov/ | Write: http://bennelson.senate.gov/co...

Sen Mark Pryor D AR
Supports the choice of public Healthcare option? Don't know
Contact information:
Phone: 202-224-2353 | Fax: 202-228-0908
Web: http://pryor.senate.gov | Write: http://pryor.senate.gov/contact/

Sen Jon Tester D MT
Supports the choice of public Healthcare option? Don't know
Contact information:
Phone: 202-224-2644 | Fax: 202-224-8594
Web: http://tester.senate.gov/ | Write: http://tester.senate.gov/Contact/

Sen Mark Warner D VA
Supports the choice of public Healthcare option? Don't know
Contact information:
Phone: 202-224-2023 | Fax: 202-224-6295
Web: http://warner.senate.gov | Write: http://warner.senate.gov/publi...

Sen Ron Wyden D OR
Supports the choice of public Healthcare option? Don't know
Contact information:
Phone: 202-224-5244 | Fax: 202-228-2717
Web: http://wyden.senate.gov/ | Write: http://wyden.senate.gov/contact/

Thank you for contacting me regarding health care reform and providing a public health care option. I appreciate the time you took to write and welcome the opportunity to respond.

I believe that there is much room for improvement in our nation's healthcare system. However, I believe that health care reform should not increase the federal deficit. I am deeply concerned about the large number of individuals and families in our country who do not have access to quality healthcare. This is a problem that touches every community and must be addressed at many different levels, including the Federal, State and local government. This problem is especially acute in California, where nearly 7 million people are uninsured.

The escalating cost of some premiums continues to make obtaining health insurance difficult, if not impossible, for many Americans. I am working hard to remove existing barriers to health care so that all Americans have access to the services they require.

One of the many proposals being considered to reform our system is to create a health care plan that is publically operated. Please know that I am reviewing all health care reform options and I will keep your comments in mind as the Senate continues to work to improve health care for all Americans.

Again, thank you for writing. If you have any further questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 224-3841. Best regards.

Sincerely yours,

Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator