Defend the public option: Tell Senators you oppose 'co-op' healthcare plans

From our friends at MoveOn.org comes this:

President Obama has spoken forcefully about the need for a public health insurance option that would lower costs and keep the insurance companies honest.

But the Washington Post is reporting that a new health care proposal may be gaining support in the Senate that could defeat his plan.

The proposal would create a series of small, regional "co-op" insurance plans that would be too weak to really compete with private insurers and bring down prices. And these "co-op" plans would mostly be privately run, so they wouldn't be accountable to voters or Congress. A "co-op" is not an acceptable substitute for a strong public health insurance option.

Would you call Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein today? Tell them: Voters wants a strong, national public health insurance option. Please oppose the "co-op" proposal and other half-measures. And after you've called, please let MoveOn.org know that you've called.

Here's where to call:

Senator Barbara Boxer
Phone: 202-224-3553

Senator Dianne Feinstein
Phone: 202-224-3841

We need a strong public health insurance plan that has the size and strength to reduce overhead, negotiate lower costs for drugs and treatments, and compete with national private health insurance plans. Small, regional co-op plans just won't cut it on their own.