Here's where Dr. Howard Dean, former head of the DNC, stands on health care reform. Keyword? Robust:
Here's what it boils down to, according to the physician and former governor:
If Barack Obama's healthcare plan gets changed to exclude a public option like Medicare, then it is not healthcare reform. Legislation rises and falls on whether the American public is allowed to choose a universally available public option or not.
Dr. Dean's outstanding progressive group Democracy For America wants you to Stand with Dr. Dean, and demand real reform from your representatives--reform that includes a robust, national public option, because as the good doctor says, without that it won't BE reform. Sign the petition, and then because you're good, active Oregonians, please email (not call, we want it in writing!) our Senators and ask them these specific questions:
Do you support a public healthcare option as part of healthcare reform?
If so, do you support a public healthcare option that is available on day one?
Do you support a public healthcare option that is national, available everywhere, and accountable to Congress?
Do you support a public healthcare option that can bargain for rates from providers and big drug companies?
Why is this important? Because they're tallying up the responses nationwide, in order to get a clearer picture of just who does and doesn't support true reform in Congress. OpenLeft is leading the charge (and their article is worth its own read for the updates on secretly meeting "centrists" and Blue Dogs looking to cut the meat out of reform), and the 50 State Progressive Blog Network--Loaded Orygun being Oregon's representative--is doing the local legwork.
As you can tell from the tally board at Stand With Dr. Dean, all of Oregon's Democratic House Members are considered to be on the train to real reform, as is Senator Merkley. The "unknowns" are Greg Walden--who let's face it, probably is a No--and Senator Ron Wyden. If you've been reading LO lately you know that Wyden's been all over the map on the issue, claiming support for a public option but being coy about the terms he'd support and whether he'd fight to keep his own, option-less plan ahead of any bill with one. So really, the big key for Oregonians is to get a clear statement of principle from Senator Wyden on the issue.
I'll make a formal email request of the Senator's staff myself, but there is strength in numbers, and they deserve to know how important the true character of reform is to their constituency. So please please please make your own inquiry--and then report back here in comments with whatever answer you get. BE POLITE! As much as I find myself disagreeing with his positions on this issue currently, Ron Wyden is NOT THE ENEMY. Be respectful and give him the opportunity to explain himself to you, as he should be duty bound to offer.
Sen Ron WydenD OR Supports the choice of public Healthcare option? Don't know Contact information: Phone: 202-224-5244 | Fax: 202-228-2717
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