Washington, D.C.--Congressman Eliot Engel released the following statement referring to reports in The Hill that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was rejecting weakening changes made in committee, related to the public option when the bill comes to vote on the House floor. Congressman Engel is a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, completed work on their version of America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 (HR 3200) on Wednesday.

“I am encouraged by published reports which indicate the House is moving towards a health bill with a robust public option. I voted against the so-called compromise with the Blue Dog Coalition when it was proposed in the Energy and Commerce Committee. I am very pleased to see Speaker Pelosi working towards crafting a better version of the bill.

“A key component of effective healthcare reform is a robust public option. It is more effective when modeled on Medicare, with providers getting reimbursed on a scale pegged to Medicare rates.

“There have been too many compromises already made, before anything has even passed the House or Senate. Short of a single-payer system, which I believe is the absolute best way to hold down costs and keep insurance companies in check, the next best method is a robust public option tied to Medicare. This would improve care for millions of Americans who have health insurance, and provide care to the 47 million and growing who have none. Finally, the Congressional Budget Office has estimated that a public option tied to Medicare rates will yield over $75 billion in savings over a 10-year period.

“I urge my colleagues in the House – liberal, Blue Dog, or Republican – to come together and support this bill. Health care reform is long overdue, and we must make sure legislation reaches President Obama’s desk to change the system and ensure affordable health coverage for all Americans. The House and Senate have a unique opportunity to make history – a chance to make a difference in the lives of this and future generations. The sound and fury fueled by lies and fear disseminated by those with the most to lose from change must be rejected and cooler heads must prevail. I believe the Speaker is correct in choosing a combined bill containing a public option. I look forward to a public option provision being part of a House-passed bill, and await the accompanying bill from the Senate. From there, we will negotiate true health reform to send to President Obama.

“I will continue to work to bring down costs for Americans’ health insurance and ensure all Americans have health insurance coverage. We must stand firm for real, effective changes to the system so we can have quality, sustainable health care now and for future generations.”