HARMAN EXPLAINS “NO” VOTE ON BLUE DOG HEALTH CARE AMENDMENT; SUPPORTS MOST ROBUST PUBLIC OPTION POSSIBLE

Washington, D.C. -- Representative Jane Harman (D-CA), senior member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, issued the following statement after voting against an amendment to HR 3200 – America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 – offered by members of the Blue Dog Coalition who sit on the committee. 

Though the amendment passed, in Harman’s view it significantly weakens a key provision of the bill – the public health insurance option.

Said Harman:  “I have long made clear my disagreement with the Blue Dog Coalition’s position on healthcare reform.  I vigorously opposed the Coalition’s so-called “trigger” on the public option, and fortunately it was not in their amendment.  Nevertheless, I worry that the public option is weakened by changes contained in this amendment, and my "no" vote signals my hope that Congress will ultimately pass the most robust possible public option – which I believe is the key to fostering competition, quality, availability, and affordability of health insurance.”

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