Kyle Bell

Leaders of the Congressional Progressive Caucus are signaling to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that healthcare reform must include a strong public option. The Progressive Caucus held a poll amongst its members to see exactly what support would be for a bill without a public option. According to Congressman Raul Grijalva’s tally, who co-chairs the Progressive Caucus, there would be “significant” opposition to such a bill. Grijalva went on to state that members of the Progressive Caucus want a public option with rates that are tied to five percent above Medicare.

The goal of Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky is to contain costs. “I feel confident that the White House will weigh in on a bill that makes health care affordable for the middle class,” she said. “That’s the Speaker’s litmus test, I think that’ll be his litmus test, and he will weigh in.” She has been a strong supporter of the public option, saying that competition with private insurers would bring down costs.

Read more at the Huffington Post.