Liberals Try to Influence Health Care Debate
Progressive Democrats are jumping into the health care debate with a letter to Democratic leaders demanding that a public-plan option be part of any comprehensive package.Reps. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.) and Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), who co-chair the Congressional Progressive Caucus, on Thursday sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) advising them that liberal lawmakers won’t vote for health care reform legislation that doesn’t include an option for government-run coverage.Nearly all 77 CPC members prefer a single-payer approach to health care reform, the letter states, so Congressional leaders should include a public-plan option, at a minimum, in final legislation “if they want to count on progressive support.—