Today's action

Howard Dean's Democracy for America is working to get Democratic Senators on record supporting a robust public option.

The effort of getting Senators on record supporting the public option has two benefits. First, it is a way for us to let our Senators know that this issue is important to us. Second, as the number of committed Senators grows the negotiating position of public option advocates grows stronger.

We can help by responding to DFA's request to email Senator Kerry to ask where he stands on this critical issue:

...we need to know where Senator Kerry stands on four critical questions if we want to pass a robust public healthcare option availble to everyone in America.

We can build momentum for a universally available public healthcare option by getting members of Congress to make strong public statements clarifying their views on specifics. The time for vague statements and half-answers is over. We need to get them on the record on these four critical questions:

1. Do you support a public healthcare option as part of reform?
2. Do you support a public healthcare option that is ready on day one?
3. Do you support a public healthcare option that is national, available everywhere, and accountable to our government?
4. Do you support a public healthcare option that has the clout to establish rates with providers and big drug companies?

Democracy for America has a web tool you can use to email Senator Kerry. Alternatively, you can email him through his senate web site. In either case, be sure to ask for a response to the 4 questions above and then submit the answers to Democracy for America for tracking. If you prefer you can email DFA at response@democracyforamerica.com.