Progressives Declare Public Option a Must in Health Care Reform

Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said Monday that the group would insist on a public option in any health care reform plan. In a statement responding to the possibility that health care reform may not include a public option, the congressman said that progressive Democrats, who number 70-plus in the House, will not vote for a plan without a public option.

"The public option is central to health care reform," the congressman said. "Real reform, which lowers costs and ensures all Americans get the quality, affordable health care that they deserve, cannot be accomplished without a robust public option. As we have stated repeatedly for months now, a majority of the members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus will oppose any health care reform legislation that does not include a robust public option. Our position has not, and will not, change. As co-chair of the Progressive Caucus, I look forward to working with my colleagues to develop comprehensive legislation that allows all Americans to choose the health care plan that's right for them and their families. But I will not support any bill that does not include a public option."