House won't pass Healthcare without a Public Option

(email received this afternoon - I signed)

Over the weekend Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said the Obama administration was open to considering co-ops in a healthcare reform bill. Immediately, insurance-funded media went on the attack. Some reporters called the public option dead -- others "off the table".

The media is wrong... again.

Let's be clear: A Healthcare bill without a public option is D.O.A. in the House. Period.

To pass any bill in the House they need at least 218 votes but 64 House Democrats have stood up and said they will not vote for a bill without a public option. That means a bill without a public option would only have 193 votes.

It's up to us to make sure these Democrats stand strong and never back down in the face of pressure from the insurance industry and insider Democrats. Will you join me in thanking Healthcare Heroes like Donna Edwards from Maryland CD-04 and Chellie Pingree of Maine CD-01 right now?

Thank House Healthcare Heroes who will not back down -> http://www.democracyforamerica.com/activities/181
THANK HEALTHCARE HEROES WHO WON'T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER

Should we be surprised that the media got it wrong?

How many times did they count Obama out when he ran for President? For years, Hillary Clinton was a fait accompli as the Democratic nominee, yet we all know how that turned out.

Democrats nationwide stood up and voted. When the chips were down, we didn't change our message or back away from fighting to win. We re-doubled our efforts and we backed the winner all the way into the White House.

That's what we're going to do with our fight for a public healthcare option. We will not back down. We will stand up and get the job done. We will, more than ever, re-double our efforts to deliver the change America needs.

ADD YOUR NAME IN SUPPORT OF HEALTHCARE HEROES WHO WILL NOT BACK DOWN

There are 64 House Democrats with the guts to lead the way. After you add your name, we'll deliver these signatures to every single Democratic member of the House. We'll make sure they know who the House Healthcare Leaders are. And we will support those who stand and deliver real reform.

For those who won't, it will be a strong reminder: if you stand against the 76% of Americans who want a choice of a public health insurance option, you will stand alone for re-election.

This is a campaign and right now we are in the dog days of summer. But we're in this for the long haul. When we're through, we will remember who stood with the American people. We will remember who stood with the insurance industry.

Don't despair because the media doesn't get it. Take action and get the job done.

Thank you for everything you do.

-Jim

Jim Dean, Chair
Democracy for America