While a progressive leader and a vocal supporter of health care reform, Rep. Jan Schakowsky has in recent months failed to join some of her Illinois colleagues in pledging to vote against any reform package that does not include a public insurance option. Today, however, she released her strongest statement to date, declaring "I will support nothing short of a robust public health insurance plan":
"Many Members of Congress -- including myself -- will not support a health insurance reform bill that does not break the strangle hold of private insurance companies on our health care system. That requires that consumers have a choice of a robust public health insurance plan. I will support nothing short of a robust public health insurance plan upon implementation, no triggers. I believe Congress will pass and the President will sign such a bill this Fall."
Schakowsky's statement comes on the heels of President Obama's announcement that he plans to scale back and simplify certain contentious aspects of the health care package. Schakowsky appeared on MSNBC's The Ed Show yesterday to discuss that news and the prospects for meaningful reform this fall. During the segment, she also derided the "he said/she said" media coverage that has allowed so many misleading claims about the Democratic plan to go unchallenged. Watch it:
Comments
prairiepedaler (not verified) on Thu, 09/03/2009 - 15:50
Congresswoman Schakowski ROCKS!
'nuff said!
William L. Graham (not verified) on Fri, 09/04/2009 - 18:06
Thank you, Congreeswoman Schakowski, for your position. I believe it is the correct one, considering the facts.
Abbygail (not verified) on Wed, 09/16/2009 - 22:07
GET THESE IDIOTS OUT OF CONGRESS! Do any of your morons---who by the way, have NOT read the plan and are depending on "someone telling them what it says,"---know what you will do to the country's economic system? I am a democrat, I do not work in health care or insurance, I do not have any vested interest except that I love my country and would like to see us get back on our feet. Spending more and more and more---it is the credit card syndrome.....I am sure these people who support this probably do not know what it is to have cash IN HAND to pay for things...if i can't pay for it, I DON"T BUY IT! Line of credit or realistically called what it is--Line of DEBT...is not the way to go.
An example: the public plan for health care covers doctors NOT affiliated with hospitals will benefit.... that would be doctors in general practice...who are not housed in a hospital.....SO the doctors affiliated with hospitals aren't included on your insurance plan---that would be your lab techs, radiologist, your anesthesiologist, etc...some pretty important doctors involved in diagnosing and treating health issues. We will become a reactive medical care system rather than proactive ~ that is VERY EXPENSIVE and will not only cost $$ but lives!
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