Affordable Health Choices Act Passes Senate HELP Committee with Public Option

The Affordable Health Choices Act, which passed out of the Senate HELP Committee today today by a 13 to 10 vote, includes a public option. Our calls and e-mails thanking Senator Dodd for supporting the public option and encouraging him to ensure that a strong bill emerges from the Senate HELP Committee have paid off.

Senator Dodd spoke about the bill today, putting it into a historical context upon its passage from committee (emphasis added):

“We began this process with a blank sheet of paper and a mandate from the American people. We all knew the history, marked with too many disappointments, and I said that this time would be different. Well, this time is different,” said Dodd. “The American people demanded legislation that protects their choice of doctors, hospitals, and insurance plans; cuts costs for families, businesses, and the federal government; and ensures that, in the wealthiest nation in the world, everyone has access to affordable, high-quality care. This time, we have produced the legislation Americans wanted. This time, we have delivered on the promise of real change.”

Continue reading for Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid's statement and an overview from the Health Care for America Now! blog.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid also issued a statement on the occasion of the bill's passage through the Senate HELP Committee (emphasis added):

“I want to thank Chairmen Kennedy and Dodd for their tireless work to gain final passage of the Affordable Health Choices Act before the Senate HELP Committee. Americans called for Congress to reform our health care system and this action is a positive step toward quality and affordable health care that Americans need and deserve. Along with my colleagues in the Senate, I will continue to examine all proposals in the spirit of lowering costs, improving health outcomes and preserving choice for Americans when it comes to their health care. I look forward to considering this legislation along with the Finance Committee product before the August recess. Health care reform is now one step closer to reality because of the diligent work of the members of the HELP Committee.”

Jason Rosenbaum at the Health Care for America Now! blog gives us a sense of how the big picture is coming together:

So, let's review the political space. The Senate HELP Committee has just referred a bill to the floor of the Senate with a strong public option. The House is starting in on a bill that meets all of Health Care for America Now's principles for actually achieving quality, affordable health care for all in this country. And the President and his grassroots army are out there pushing for strong reform by the August recess.

Yes, we've got one more committee that has yet to start in on their work, the Senate Finance Committee, but overall, reform is moving forward like it wasn't in the 1990s. There's no Harry and Louise on the air. Republicans can barely muster a response. Progressives are united behind real reform, and we've actually got something in Congress we can support. It's really happening, folks.

TParty has more at MyLeftNutmeg, and be sure to check the CCAG website and follow us on Twitter for the latest.