Key Democratic Caucuses Demand Competitive Public Health Plan

Congressional Quarterly TODAY MIDDAY UPDATE
June 24, 2009 – 1:26 p.m.
Key Democratic Caucuses Demand Competitive Public Health Plan

Leaders of four Democratic caucuses representing more than 120 members of Congress said Wednesday that they would vote against any health overhaul legislation that excludes a “robust” government-run insurance plan to compete with private insurers.

The leaders of the black, Hispanic, Asian Pacific American and Progressive caucuses said at a news conference that they would consider a government-run plan to be robust if it resembles Medicare, the health entitlement for the elderly. The plan would have to be available to everyone in the country and could not be subject to a “trigger,” or some other mechanism that might delay its implementation, the lawmakers said. More...