If You Want a Public Option, Oppose Baucus-Grassley

[l33tminion]

From cos, a post explaining why the Baucus-Grassley proposal is bad and arguing that the best bet for those who want healthcare reform is to have it killed in committee. The summary version:

1. The bill doesn't include a public option, the more traction it gets, the easier it will be for the Blue Dogs to preempt a bill that did have a strong public option.
2. The bill has a lot of concessions that are simply bad ideas and won't win any bipartisan support anyways.
3. The "free rider" provisions in the bill will encourage employers to avoid employing those who need employment the most (low-income people, especially those with families).
4. A majority of both the House and Senate are willing to support a public option.
5. Including the Senate Majority Leader.
6. Thank the representatives who demand a public option.
7. If one of your senators is on the Finance Committee, call them and tell them to vote no on the Baucus-Grassley bill. In particular, the Democrats on the committee who voted for Schumer's public option amendment:
   • Massachusetts: John Kerry - 202-224-2742
   • New York: Chuck Schumer - 202-224-6542
   • New Jersey: Robert Menendez - 202-224-4744
   • Delaware: Tom Carper - 202-224-2441
   • Michigan: Debbie Stabenow - 202-224-4822
   • West Virginia: John D Rockefeller - 202-224-6472
   • New Mexico: Jeff Bingaman - 202-224-5521
   • Florida: Bill Nelson - 202-224-5274
   • Washington: Maria Cantwell - 202-224-3441
   • Oregon: Ron Wyden - 202-224-5244