Health Care Negotiations in the Senate

Right now, Senate Democrats are locked in round-the-clock negotiations that could decide the fate of the public health insurance option.1 A deal could come within days.2

But while a handful of conservatives are making headlines with proposals to gut the public option, just one or two senators could upset the balance of power by refusing to give up on it. That's why all of us need to speak out right away—before a deal is cut.

Senator Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia has been a vocal supporter of the public option, and he could be the health care hero we need to win this fight. We don't usually ask you to call senators from other states, but in a moment like this, he needs to hear from progressives across the country who are counting on him to save the public option.

Can you call Sen. Rockefeller? Tell him you're a progressive who wants him to save the public option from being negotiated away, and ask that he support the health care bill only if a real public option is included.

Here's where to call:

Senator Jay Rockefeller
202-224-6472

Then, please report your call by clicking here

Conservative Democrats like Ben Nelson and Joe Lieberman have gotten a lot of attention by threatening to block health care reform over the public option.3 But progressive senators are also included in these negotiations, and Majority Leader Harry Reid needs the support of every Democrat for the bill—including Jay Rockefeller.4
That's why we've got to make sure Sen. Rockefeller knows that grassroots progressives across the country are counting on him to save the public health insurance option—and that we'll remember his leadership in the future.

To influence the outcome of these negotiations, Sen. Rockefeller needs to be crystal clear with Sen. Reid that he will support the health care bill only if it includes a real public health insurance option that's available immediately.

Can you call Sen. Rockefeller right now?

Here's where to call:

Senator Jay Rockefeller
202-224-6472

Then, please report your call by clicking here:

Thanks for all you do.

–Kat, Joan, Michael, Marika, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "With Health Reform At Stake, Senators Scramble To Reach Public Option Compromise," Talking Points Memo, December 3, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85509&id=18154-15018975-83auAox&t=4

2. "Landrieu floats public option alternative," Politico, December 3, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85541&id=18154-15018975-83auAox&t=5

3. "Lieberman: Sure, I'd Filibuster A Health Care Reform Bill With A Public Option," Talking Points Memo, October 27, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85376&id=18154-15018975-83auAox&t=6

"Lieberman: More Dems could join public option filibuster," The Hill, November 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85377&id=18154-15018975-83auAox&t=7

"Ben Nelson threatens filibuster," Politico, November 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85378&id=18154-15018975-83auAox&t=8

4. "With Health Reform At Stake, Senators Scramble To Reach Public Option Compromise," Talking Points Memo, December 3, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85509&id=18154-15018975-83auAox&t=9

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