Washington, D.C.--Congressman Eliot Engel met with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday afternoon to urge the inclusion of a public option in the health care reform bill soon to be considered in the House Energy and Commerce Committee later this week.

Rep. Engel is a senior member of the committee, and is an original co-sponsor of H.R. 676, The United States National Health Insurance Act, which advocates for a single payer system. "While I have long been a supporter of single payer legislation, I support the plan to include a public option which fulfills commitments made by this Congress and President Obama to reform health care. The America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 will provide health coverage to the almost 50 million Americans currently without health care, while minimizing the costs for everyone else,” said Rep. Engel.

The 11-term Congressman and senior member of the Health subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee added, “I think the leadership provided by the Speaker in shepherding this vital reform to the committee floor and eventually to the House is to be commended. For far too long, our nation has had a broken health care system and an economy which has suffered because of rising health care costs. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation when it comes to a full House vote, and I look to the Senate to pass similar legislation as soon as possible. Only then can we can finally give Americans the health care system they deserve.”

The House plan aims to reduce the soaring costs which have crippled many small businesses and families. They have experienced the doubling of premiums over the last nine years, a rate of growth three times faster than wages.

“A public option is not designed to be the choice for coverage. What it aims to do is provide an alternative and competition for health care providers so costs to consumers can be reduced. It also gives an option to those who currently have none. The bottom line is that if you have a doctor and current health plan which you like, you can keep them. If you have neither, you can get them,” said Rep. Engel.

Other aspects of the House plan include:

• An annual cap on out-of-pocket expenses, keeping Americans from financial ruin.
• An end to rate increases for pre-existing conditions, gender, or occupation.
• Group rates of a national pool if you buy your own plan.
• Guaranteed, affordable oral health, hearing, and vision care for kids.
• Benefits must include mental health.

“If we don’t act now, within a decade, we will be spending one out of every five dollars we earn on health care. We know how to lower the cost of quality care for Americans and American businesses—and now we need every American to lend their voice to this debate to make reform a reality,” added Rep. Engel.