Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain on the Senate Finance Committee's Votes on the Public Option

9-29-09 For Immediate Release:

Contact: Elana Guiney 503-803-3151

Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain on the Senate Finance Committee's Votes on the Public Option

"Middle Class Oregonians suffered a major set-back today because a few Senators weren't brave enough to stand up to big-insurance money. Luckily, Oregon's Senator Wyden was not among them.

Senator Wyden and the seven other Senate Finance Committee Members who stood with the vast majority of Americans, and the members of the four other committees debating health care who have already supported reform bills that include a public option, should be proud. It is unfortunate, however, that a small group of Senators were able to derail such a crucial piece of the Finance Committee's reform bill.

Middle class Oregonians need affordable health care reform. Without a public option, reform will not lower prices enough to help families afford the care they need. As the Senate considers both the Finance Committee bill, and the HELP Committee bill, we hope that Senators Wyden and Merkley, and their colleagues who have stood with middle class Americans, continue to support a public option as part of the Senate healthcare reform package." 

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The Oregon AFL-CIO represents over 225,000 Middle Class Oregonians and their interests including healthcare

Posted on September 29, 2009 in Healthcare.