Health care reform must contain a strong public option: Amalgamated Transit Union

International President Warren S. George issued the following statement this morning on the health care reform proposals now being considered by Congress:

"With Congress set to return from a month-long August recess this week, negotiations will begin once again on comprehensive health care reform legislation. Sadly, after having been bombarded by crowds of extremists at town hall meetings, many of our elected representatives, including some whom we helped to elect, are beginning to back away from one of the most crucial elements of health care reform - the public option.

"We have said again and again that comprehensive health care reform must contain a strong public option. Citizens should have the option to keep their private insurance plan or join a new public plan. A strong public plan option, similar to Medicare, will provide a guaranteed backup for all Americans and will provide competition to private providers, forcing them to make coverage more affordable.

"Let me make this clear - the ATU will not support any legislation that does not include a public option. Nor will we support any member of Congress - either financially through our COPE program or through our member-to-member political education efforts - who does not likewise fight for this necessary component of reform.

"As the debate on health care reform continues, the ATU will fight to ensure that a strong public option is included in the final legislation. We will monitor the debate and will take a close look at our Senators' and Representatives' voting records, pledges, and public statements before we make any commitments to assist them."

Source: http://www.atu.org