Congressman Alan Grayson, (D-Orlando), today announced that 50 Members of Congress have signed on as cosponsors of his Public Option Act (H.R. 4789). The bill, also known as the “Medicare You Can Buy Into Act,” opens up Medicare for anyone who can pay for it.
Congressman Grayson said, “WOW! 50 cosponsors in less than 48 hours, including five Committee Chairs. I am thrilled, but not surprised, that so many of my colleagues support this bill. We all believe it deserves a vote.”
This list of cosponsors includes five powerful Committee Chairmen: John Conyers, Nydia Velazquez, Barney Frank, Ed Towns, and Bob Filner. It includes the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, the Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and both Co-Chairs of the Progressive Caucus.
Congressman Grayson introduced the Public Option Act on March 9th. The bill would allow any American citizen or permanent resident to buy into Medicare at cost. Any participant in the option would be eligible for Medicare Part A and B coverage, as well as Medicare Part D prescription drug access. This legislation does not affect the current Medicare program, established for older Americans age 65 and up.
“Many Americans feel they have an adversarial relationship with their insurance companies, and that every penny that they receive in health care is a penny less for the health insurance company’s profits. That’s why we need another option. We need a public option,” Congressman Grayson said.
