countdowntohealthcare.com

This has been a frustrating week for all of us who have fought so hard for the public option and for real reform that will bring down health care costs. As I wrote earlier in the week on www.CountdowntoHealthCare.com, some of us have begun to feel as though we’ve compromised our compromised compromise.

I’m not ready to leave the table yet. I believe it’s too important and there’s still time to help improve the result.

But I want you to guide this effort. I want to hear your concerns and get your guidance. That’s why, on Tuesday, December 22 at 7:00 PM ET, I’ll be hosting a live online chat on this page.

There’s a lot to discuss. Some have said that progressives shouldn’t support the current Senate proposal. Without the public option, they say, there’s not enough to provide genuine competition to insurers.

Others have said that we should focus our energies on how to improve whatever emerges from the Senate. Once the Senate passes a bill, it will go to a conference committee to be reconciled with the House bill. That process could be a real opportunity to move the Senate bill closer to the one we passed in the House.

I want to hear what you think and where you come down. There’s a lot of noise out there–much of it heated. Now is a time for all of us to have a conversation about what we need to achieve and how we’re going to get there. Please join me on Tuesday, December 22 at 7:00 PM ET.

Anthony