he CPC sent this letter to House and Senate Leadership, in early April, expressing the Caucus' preference for a single-payer approach to health care reform.


April 2, 2009

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker
U.S. House of Representatives

The Honorable Harry Reid Majority
Leader
U.S. Senate

Dear Madam Speaker and Majority Leader,

Regarding the upcoming health care reform debate, we believe it is important for you to know that virtually the entire 77-Member Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) prefers a single-payer approach to health care reform. Therefore, it will come as no surprise as you work to craft comprehensive health care reform legislation, that we urge the inclusion of a public plan option, at a minimum, in the final legislation. We have polled CPC Members and a strong majority will not support legislation that does not include a public plan option that is supported on a level playing field with private health insurance plans.

We look forward to working with you to ensure inclusion of a public plan option and the successful passage of health care legislation that will provide a choice of quality health care for all Americans.

Lynn Woolsey
Co-Chair
Congressional Progressive Caucus

Raul M. Grijalva
Co-Chair
Congressional Progressive Caucus