As healthcare reform legislation has moved forward with a focus on the public option, single payer advocates have turned their energy in that direction.  However, there is still one action to take to advance the debate on single payer and all healthcare reform, and I hope that public option supporters will help us out today.

Speaker Pelosi promised Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) that his amendment to replace HR3200 with HR676 Medicare For All would receive a floor debate and a vote.  No one expects this to pass, but what is important is the debate that will illustrate the cost savings and improved care. 

Pelosi made a promise to allow this House floor debate and vote; she must keep it.  The Kucinich Amendment, which would allow states to implement their own single payer plans, something that is currently prohibited, even as several states have single payer plans in their legislatures, has been stripped, and should be reinstated.

Please call Pelosi today and ask that she keep her promise to allow Rep Weiner to bring his amendment to the floor, and that she also reinstate the Kucinich Amendment so that any state that wishes can opt-out of the national plan if it wants a better single payer plan.

202-225-0100

All amendments to the House bill were prohibited in order to block amendments by a faction of conservative pro-birth Democrats.

However, via a move called a Manager's Amendment, Pelosi could still reinsert Kucinich's bipartisan amendment that would allow states to enact their own single payer plans if they choose.  Six states have single payer bills ready to go in their legislatures.

Please sign this Democrats.com petition:

http://www.democrats.com/single-payer-petition?ad=d0