Brunner Calls on Congress to Support "Public Option"

U.S. Senate Candidate Jennifer Brunner today called on Congressional leaders to stand behind supporters calling for a health care plan that includes a public option. Republican and select Democratic representatives have expressed concerns that a government managed, public option would hurt large insurance companies and weaken the economy. Brunner challenged that myth and restated the impact on the economy that reform would bring:

“Consumers’ choices are dwindling as health insurance premiums soar. Small businesses, labor unions, and companies with large numbers of retirees struggle to keep the costs of benefits level by increasing employee shares of premiums, deductibles, co-pays and decreasing covered services, especially when there are preexisting medical conditions.  Millions of Americans in need of health care go without proper medical attention, even when they have health insurance.  Our current system of tying health care to a job leaves millions without health care as unemployment rises.  As these uninsured families with children apply to states for their children’s health care needs costs to taxpayers escalate.  For those who simply go without, leaving themselves completely vulnerable to catastrophic illnesses or accidents, ultimately, all others pay the price as health care costs rise,” she said.

“They say what they are against,’’ Brunner said, “but they don’t say what they support.’’ She noted that Republican U.S. Senate candidate Rob Portman, who served former President George W. Bush as Director of the Office of Management and Budget, said his party had no position on health care, reaching this conclusion after conversations with Congressional Republicans.  Despite Portman’s admission and failure to fill that void with any ideas of his own, Vice President Dick Cheney used a recent radio interview to characterize Portman as a viable GOP candidate for the U.S. Senate.

“Now that Dick Cheney has left office he has chosen to become vocal and to opine on issues of the day, presumably as a standard bearer for the ailing Republican Party. How can he and Rob Portman maintain their oblivion to the tragically large numbers of Americans who are suffering from their previous failure to face the deteriorating circumstances of Americans and their families because of inadequate or no health care?” Brunner said.

Personally, I think Brunner could have made the argument without using Cheney, but her point is taken. The fact is Rob Portman attacked his own party for not having a plan while he himself has no clue on the issue either. He's got a DC lobbyist running his campaign, he's surrounded by Bush and Cheney disciples, and refuses to take a position on anything Ohioans care about.

I wonder what Tom Ganley's position on health care is?