Senator Russ Feingold Statement on Failure of the Senate Finance Committee to Include a Public Option

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September 29, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Today, following the Senate Finance Committee’s failure to include public health insurance options offered by Senator John Rockefeller (D-WV) and Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) during consideration of the committee’s health care reform proposal, Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) released the following statement:

“I am disappointed the Senate Finance Committee rejected amendments offered by Senator Rockefeller and Senator Schumer to include a public health insurance option in its health care reform legislation.

"I have strongly supported a public health insurance option from the start as a way to increase competition in the health care industry and drive down costs. A public health insurance option is key to ensuring every American is able to afford health insurance and without it, I don’t see how we will bring real reform to the system.

"I will continue to work with my colleagues to include a public option in the bill when it comes to the Senate floor.”

Source: Senator Russ Feingold