Durbin Statement on the Public Option

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today made the following statement regarding the news that the Senate health care bill will include a public option:

“For weeks, Majority Leader Harry Reid has worked to forge an important consensus within our Caucus and with the White House in support of a public health insurance option. Because of his efforts, today we are within reach of an historic achievement -- providing access to health care for every American family.

The opt-out plan Senate Democrats are putting forward will foster greater competition in the marketplace, create more choices for consumers, and lead to lower costs and better quality for all. And it will allow each state to make the choice about what works best.

The fight to pass this bill is far from over, and we know the insurance companies and their allies will battle us every step of the way. But I believe we still can enact meaningful health care reform this year."

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