Senate Votes to Begin Debate on H.C. Reform

The slow, deliberative path to the end begins

Late last Saturday, the Senate voted 60-39 to open debate on historic health care and health insurance reform legislation. Having cleared this procedural vote, debate is set to begin after Thanksgiving.

Senator Kay Hagan voted with the rest of the Democratic caucus to debate the most important domestic policy issue of our time. Senator Richard Burr voted not to have the debate at all. Call your Senators about their votes.

While it's a big deal and a victory for reform that the Senate will debate a comprehensive reform bill, the bill is flawed because it includes a new tax on workers' health care benefits.

Our message to the Senate is this:

• Include a strong public health insurance option to foster competition and lower costs. Don't force uninsured Americans to become customers of greedy private health insurance companies. Give them the option.
• Employers have to do their part and should be required either to provide health care for their employees or pay into a system to make sure everyone is covered.
• No new costs or taxes that would hurt working families.