The public option is NOT dead (from MoveOn)

Dear MoveOn member,

Have you read the stories this week declaring the public health insurance option dead? Well, it's not.

The public option has the support of 83% of the American people,1 and enough progressives in the House to block any bill without it.2,3 And contrary to what you may have read, the White House has said repeatedly their position hasn't changed.4,5

But there is real danger in the Senate, where conservatives have stepped up efforts to kill the public option.

Can you call Senator George Voinovich right away? Tell him that you, along with the majority of Americans, strongly support a public health insurance option—it's the heart of real reform.
Here's where to call:

Senator George Voinovich
District Offices:
Cincinnati: 513-684-3265
Cleveland: 216-522-7095
Columbus: 614-469-6697
Nelsonville: 740-441-6410
Toledo: 419-259-3895

Then, please report your call by clicking here:
http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FSOH_1&cp_id=1078&dofcs=1&id=16878-10933385-r.ao0yx&t=1

After several weeks of protests by angry right-wing extremists, the media is itching to write the story of the administration backing down. The truth is, President Obama has said all along that he wants a public option—it's the key to keeping insurance companies honest. And just yesterday the White House reiterated that a public option is the best way to increase competition, expand coverage, and bring down costs.6

Now, more than ever, the Senate needs to hear that the public health insurance option is non-negotiable, and that the American public is counting on the lowered costs and increased access the public option will bring.

Our demand for real reform is getting through in communities nationwide, thanks in big part to MoveOn volunteers organizing events across the country. Check out the latest:

• At a debate in Dallas, Texas, the MoveOn Council brought over 120 people—far outnumbering right-wing protesters.7 Photos of MoveOn members at the event ran in the New York Times.8
• MoveOn members around the country have been tenacious in getting through to key senators. In the last two weeks, members have had face-to-face conversations with senators in Indiana, North Dakota, Maine, and Nebraska.
• In Boulder, Colorado, pro-reform constituents packed a town hall with Rep. Jared Polis. The message they sent was positive, respectful, and crystal clear. As the local television station put it, "Hundreds urge Polis to keep fighting for 'public option.'"9

But we also need to make sure the word is getting heard in every single Senate office—and with the media frenzy, calling now is more important than ever. Can you call Sen. Voinovich today and make sure he hears from you right away about the need for a real public health insurance option?
Thanks for all you do.

–Nita, Kat, Stephen, Daniel and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "New Poll Shows Tremendous Support for Public Health Care Option," Blog for Our Future, June 15, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51510&id=16878-10933385-r.ao0yx&t=2
2. "60 Members of Congress Say 'No Public Plan, No Conference,'" Firedoglake, August 17, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51764&id=16878-10933385-r.ao0yx&t=3
3. "Weiner says health plan without public option won't fly," The Examiner, August 17, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51765&id=16878-10933385-r.ao0yx&t=4
4. "White House Issues Q&A on Health Plan," The Wall Street Journal, August 17, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51770&id=16878-10933385-r.ao0yx&t=5
5. "White House Insists 'Nothing Has Changed' on Public Health Insurance Option," ABC News, August 17, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51768&id=16878-10933385-r.ao0yx&t=6
6. "White House Issues Q&A on Health Plan," The Wall Street Journal, August 17, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51770&id=16878-10933385-r.ao0yx&t=7
7. "Joint health care reform debate remains peaceful in Dallas," Dallas Morning News, August 18, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51772&id=16878-10933385-r.ao0yx&t=8
8. "Alternate Plan as Health Option Muddies Debate," The New York Times, August 17, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51773&id=16878-10933385-r.ao0yx&t=9
9. "Hundreds urge Polis to keep fighting for 'public option,'" KDVR, August 17, 2009.
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51771&id=16878-10933385-r.ao0yx&t=10

:kick: