Published on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 by The Hill

Progressive House Dems Want Medicare for (E)veryone

by Mike Soraghan

Say hello to "Medicare Part E" - as in, "Medicare for Everyone."

Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) in this file photo. Kucinich called his single-payer coverage proposal "Medicare Part E." But, the question remains, can the so-called 'public option' be re-branded as Medicare, which more people understand but may present other problems for health reform advocates. (SEIU file)

House Democrats are looking at re-branding the public health insurance option as Medicare, an established government healthcare program that is better known than the public option.

The strategy could benefit Democrats struggling to bridge the gap between liberals in their party, who want the public option, and centrists, who are worried it would drive private insurers out of business.

While much of the public is foggy on what a public option actually is, people understand Medicare. It also would place the new public option within the rubric of a familiar system rather than something new and unknown.

The idea has bubbled up among House Democrats and leaders in the past week, most prominently in a caucus meeting last Thursday.

Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.) spoke out last week in favor of re-branding the public option as Medicare, startling many because he has loudly proclaimed his opposition to a public option.

Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.), the veteran chairman of the House Transportation Committee, also voiced his support, as did House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.).

John Schadl, a spokesman for Oberstar, explained the congressman likes the idea because people are familiar with Medicare.

"One of his concerns is that people don't know what a public option is. Medicare is a public option," Schadl said. He said Oberstar started talking about "Medicare for Everyone" during August town hall meetings.

A notable incident last summer demonstrated the popularity of Medicare and the confusion over the public option when a man famously told Rep. Bob Inglis (R-S.C.), "Keep your government hands off my Medicare."

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) planned to unveil a proposal to her caucus Tuesday night that would include the public option favored by liberals in the healthcare bill Democrats want to bring to the floor, according to two House sources.

The plan, called the "robust" option or "Medicare Plus 5" in the jargon that has emerged on Capitol Hill, ties provider reimbursement rates to Medicare, adding 5 percent. Leaders are planning to roll the bill out next week, and are hoping to vote the first week in November

Some Democrats say there's no need to rename a legislative concept that's gained steadily in support since being lambasted as a "government takeover" in August. A Washington Post-ABC poll published Tuesday showed 57 percent of the public supports the idea - up five points since August - while 40 percent opposes it.

"It keeps polling better and better as a public health insurance option," said a senior Democratic aide. "I don't think it's changing." Polling experts, however, have documented that many people don't know what a public option is, and that small changes in language can cause poll results to vary widely. An August poll by Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates showed that only 37 percent of those polled correctly identified the public option from a list of three choices.

"Before this year, few people had ever heard of the term ‘public option,' " Ross said last week.

It's not clear exactly how the new Medicare idea would work. Some want to expand Medicare itself to uninsured people under 65. Others want to simply rename what is now called the public health insurance option.

Oberstar, who supports a "single-payer" system that would be completely run by the government, doesn't want a Medicare public option to be based on existing Medicare rates because he believe Minnesota is one of the states shortchanged by Medicare reimbursements.

Republicans mocked the idea of re-branding a plan they still consider a government takeover of healthcare.

"It didn't matter what they called Crystal Pepsi; no one wanted to drink it," said Michael Steel, spokesman for House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio). "No matter how the Democrats ‘re-brand' their government takeover of healthcare, the American people oppose it."

Republicans also note that Medicare is already $37 trillion in the hole and is projected to go bankrupt by 2018. "Has anyone noticed that Medicare is completely broke?" said Andrew Biggs, a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute who worked in the White House on President George W. Bush's plan to overhaul Social Security.

The public health insurance option would be a government-run plan designed to push all insurance premiums down by creating more competition in a business where one or two insurers dominate many markets. The idea has gotten a cool reception from some Senate Democrats, and Republicans are adamantly opposed. But Pelosi has flatly stated that the House bill will include a public option.

In a closed-door caucus meeting last week, Ross, one of the most conservative Democrats in the House, offered support for expanding Medicare, saying it would prevent the need to create a new bureaucracy. He said he wasn't advocating a plan, however, and added that the new coverage would have to have much higher reimbursements for physicians and hospitals. He also said it would need to compete with private insurers.

In an odd reversal, that idea was shot down as too liberal by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), himself a liberal champion. Waxman said expanding Medicare would essentially move toward a fully government-run single-payer system, while the public option was designed to spur competition.

People have been talking about some sort of Medicare Part E since Congress debated the prescription drug benefit, Medicare Part D, in 2003. In the 2004 Democratic presidential primaries, Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) called his single-payer coverage proposal "Medicare Part E."

The idea of expanding Medicare while still keeping private insurance was proposed in 2007 by Johns Hopkins University Professors Gerard Anderson and Hugh Waters. They presented a paper at a forum of the Brookings Institution advocating "Medicare Part E(veryone)," and said their proposal would expand Medicare to ensure universal coverage while allowing people to stay on their employers' health plans.

© 2009 The Hill

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PSN Leaders & Allied Legislators Meet With White House and Capitol Hill Leaders on Health Care Reform Thursday, October 15, 2009 PERMALINK: http://www.progressivestates.org/node/23809 With final negotiations moving forward on Capitol Hill on a final health care reform bill, over two dozen state legislators met with the White House and Capitol Hill leaders to share views of how to build a strong state-federal partnership to provide quality, affordable health care for all Americans. Working with the Progressive States Network and the White House Work Group of State Legislators for Health Reform, the legislators met with over thirty Congressional offices, including directly with Senators Tom Harkin, Mary Landrieu, Mary Cantwell, Max Baucus, Chuck Grassley, Amy Klobuchar, Patty Murray, the top staff of Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and top White House officials including David Axelrod and Nancy-Ann DeParle. (See full list of participating state legislators and Capitol Hill leaders they met with below). The legislators shared state concerns on a wide range of issues and highlighted the need for balancing strong federal standards with promoting continued innovation by state policymakers. 1000+ State Legislators for Health Care Reform Part of the message that legislators brought to D.C. was the wide support by state leaders for reform. The meetings followed the announcement last week by Progressive States Network that 1,057 state legislators from all 50 states have signed letters to President Obama and Congress asking for real health reform, including a public health insurance option, strong affordability protections, and shared responsibility among individuals, employers and government for health care costs. (See here for letters and signatories in the states). “President Obama and Congressional leaders recognize that state legislators have been on the front lines of health care reform for decades,” said Texas Representative Garnet Coleman, co-chair of Progressive States Network. “Most proposed elements of federal reform are based on ideas already debated and in many cases enacted in the states. So state legislators know what is needed to make reform work.” In addition to these letters showing broad-based state legislator support for reform, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) in August voted to support federal health care reform, including a public health insurance option. (See full NCSL health reform policy and excerpts of key points). The vote at the annual NCSL conference was overwhelming, with representatives of 38 states supporting the resolution. As Iowa State Senator Jack Hatch (D, Des Moines), who is chair of the White House Work Group and introduced the amendment at NCSL, said “We sent a very clear message to people dragging their feet in Washington: the time to act on health reform is now. We need a public health insurance option to make sure working families and small businesses are free to choose the best health care available at a price they can afford.” State legislators and our allies have been having a tremendous impact on the D.C. health care debate. As Tom Harkin said of our work back in June during the first legislator delegation to D.C. that PSN organized, “Thank you for your tremendous leadership... This is very meaningful what you are doing here and at the White House, because I can assure you that there are powerful forces at work to keep us from having a public plan.” View video coverage of Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, speaking at the Progressive States Network press conference on Capitol Hill by clicking on the video still below: More Resources Statement of Purpose and Recommendations of the Legislator Delegation State leaders highlighted broad principles that should guide reform, with an understanding of why states matter and will continue to be key players in implementing health care reform. (See here for the full Statement of Purpose distributed to the White House and Capitol Hill leaders). Key principles included: Create a Floor, Not a Ceiling – As with Medicaid and SCHIP, reform ought to create necessary standards of accessibility and affordability for all states while enabling states to go further if they choose. Avoid Preemption – Reform should not preempt or prevent state laws that provide stronger consumer protections, coverage expansions, and industry and medical standards than what it is enacted by Congress. A Public Option – State legislators are committed to the necessity of a robust public option to provide more choice for Americans and businesses, and create competition in the insurance market. Ensure Reform is Sustainable During All Economic Conditions – The federal government must create a system of counter-cyclical funding to ensure health care for all, including an extension of the existing enhanced federal match to maintain state health programs. Provide All States with Necessary Financial Support – Reform must provide states with the necessary financial support to implement new programs and achieve the access, cost and quality goals of reform. Ensure Affordability of Coverage – The cost of health care must be limited to an affordable percentage of income for all families. Provide for Shared Responsibility – Government, individuals, the industry, taxpayers and businesses must all equitably participate in reform. Reform must protect the ability of states to set a higher mandate for employer responsibility than the federal floor. State Flexibility to Implement Reforms Early, Show Results – Reform should support states that are primed to act early on key reform provisions early in order to reinforce public support for reform and maintain public programs financed by state-only funds as states face continued deficits. Progressive States Network had also worked with the delegation to provide an analysis of the various versions of health reform approved by committees (House committees' version, Senate HELP committee, Senate Finance committee) and how each were likely to impact the states. (See here for the full Policy and Recommendations distributed to Capitol Hill leaders, see here). A few of the key recommendations by the delegation included: Medicaid Expansion: In expanding Medicaid coverage to 133% of poverty, following House language, which calls for 100% FMAP state aid for the expansion population. Insurance Exchange/Gateway Administration: In creating insurance "exchanges" to allow individuals and small businesses to purchase health insurance, support House language for the creation of a national exchange, with option to create a state exchange. Support HELP language, flexibility for multi-state Gateways and encourage creation of a national Gateway. Go beyond all proposals to support inclusion of small and larger businesses in option to participate in the Exchange/Gateway Insurance Reforms: On insurance reforms such as guaranteed issue, no pre-existing condition exclusions, no denials of coverage for pre-existing conditions, no health status or gender-based rating, support strong House and HELP language Affordability and the Individual Mandate: To assure premium affordability, support House language. Although the level of the hardship exemption is not clear, the cap on out of pocket costs and limit of premiums to 11% of income for those closest to 400% of poverty is strong. Shared Responsibility: Support House language requiring employers to cover at least 72.5% of premiums for an individual employee and 65% for family coverage. Public Option: Support the House language from two committees there that would foster the creation of a national public option using Medicare rates plus a 5% bonus for primary care doctors and providers. Financing Reform: Support House surcharge to be paid by families with incomes above $350,000 and equals, on a sliding scale, from 1% to 5.4% of modified adjusted gross income. The Finance Committee's proposed excise tax on employee health care plans is highly objectionable to workers and unions as the cost would likely get passed on to workers. More Resources Capitol Meetings & Members of the Legislator Delegation Over two days, legislators met with a wide range of White House and Capitol Hill leaders, including: Top White House officials, including David Axelrod and Nancy-Ann DeParle, as well as top staff for Majority Leader Harry Reid's and Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Met directly with Sen. Baucus (MT), Sen. Cantwell (WA), Sen. Grassley (IA), Sen. Harkin (IA), Sen. Kerry (MA), Sen. Klobuchar (MN), Sen. Landrieu (LA), and Sen. Murray (WA). Met directly with Rep. Cuellar (TX), Rep. Driehaus (OH), Rep. Edwards (TX) , Rep. Ellison (MN), Rep. Giffords (AZ), Rep. Grijalva (AZ), Rep. Inslee (WA), Rep. Kirkpatrick (AZ), Rep. Kratovil (MD), Rep. Kucinich (OH), Rep. Lynch (MA), Rep. McCollum (MN), Rep. McGovern (MA), Rep. Melancon (LA), Rep. Michaud (ME), Rep. Mitchell (AZ), Rep. Peterson (MN), Rep. Smith (WA), and Rep. Walz (MN). Top staff for Sen. Franken (MN), Sen. Lieberman (CT) , Sen. Snowe (ME), Rep. Walz (MN) and Rep. Peterson (MN). Most of these reflected home state representatives of state legislators visiting DC and many are potential swing voters on federal reform who expressed appreciation at hearing about how robust health care reform could improve federal-state collaboration in improving the long-term health of Americans. Along with PSN Executive Director Nathan Newman, the the delegation to Washington, D.C. included Sen. Luz Arce (Puerto Rico), Sen. Linda Berglin (Minnesota), Sen. Maggie Carlton (Nevada), Rep. Karen Carter Peterson (Louisiana), Rep. Garnet Coleman (Texas), Rep. Steve Conway (Washington), Rep. Steve D’Amico (Massachusetts), Del. Ana Sol Gutierrez (Maryland), Rep. Bob Hagan (Ohio), Sen. Jack Hatch (Iowa), Del. Tom Hucker (Maryland), Rep. Tom Huntley (Minnesota), Rep. Verla Insko (North Carolina), Sen. Karen Keiser (Washington), Del. Roger Manno (Maryland), Rep. Erin Murphy (Minnesota), Sen. Margarita Nolasco (Puerto Rico), Sen. Matt Rector (Guam), Rep. Elizabeth Ritter (Connecticut), Rep. Josh Shapiro (Pennsylvania), Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (Arizona), Rep. Michael Skindell (Ohio), Rep. Sharon Treat (Maine), and Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy (Montana). Raising the Voices of the States in the Federal Debate With Congress on the verge of passing long-awaited and potentially robust health care reform the state leaders raised the voice of state legislators to ensure that states’ needs and priorities are accounted for in the final legislation agreed to by the Congress and President Obama. Tell a Friend About This Resources 1000+ State Legislators for Health Care Reform Progressive States Network - Over 1000 Legislators Sign Letters Supporting Federal Health Care Reform National Conference of State Legislators- Full Health Care Reform Policy and Excerpts of Policy Statement of Purpose and Recommendations of the Legislator Delegation State Leaders Statement of Purpose State Leaders Policy and Recommendations

Health reform is getting down to the wire.

Down to the wire!

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Health reform is getting down to the wire. Just this week, the final Senate committee approved its reform bill, and now the issue moves to the floor in both chambers of Congress – where anything can happen! You can bet the insurance industry and opponents will be pulling out all the stops to weaken or kill any bill on the floor. We need every last voice in support of reform so members of Congress know that we expect access to affordable, decent health coverage – just like they get. Sign our petition in support of common-sense health reform, and we’ll hand deliver it to your local Congressional offices. The more signatures we can get in each state, the more we can put Washington on notice that people back home expect solutions to our health care problems this year! Add your name – Don’t let Congress put off fixing our health care crisis! We produced a TV ad that puts our trusted Consumer Reports brand behind the call for common-sense health reform, and have been airing it in Washington, D.C., to build support. Momentum is growing once again for reform after a frustrating summer where well-organized opponents used lies and scare tactics in hopes of paralyzing us in fear. Help us keep the momentum growing. Your voice is needed to push for real choice, clear debate and an end to ‘politics as usual.’ Sign our petition to Congress. Tell members to fix our crisis – not add to it! Consumers are tired of getting the short end of the stick from the giant insurance companies when it comes to health care, and we need more coverage choices that are affordable and reliable. We have the opportunity now if Congress can find the courage to stand up to the lobbyists and give us health coverage we can afford – and without the fear that it will be yanked away on an insurance company whim. Your voice matters – make sure your elected officials know that you’re watching, and that you want them to work for reform that benefits you, not the insurance industry. Sincerely, Liz Foley PrescriptionForChange.org A project of Consumers Union 101 Truman Ave. Yonkers, NY 10703

Tell CEOs: Quit the Chamber, join the planet.

Tell CEOs: Quit the Chamber, join the planet.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is feeling the heat

"We don't have regrets about our position, and we don't intend to change it." That's what the Chamber of Commerce said last week as pressure mounted from member groups to step back from its extremist stand against global warming legislation that would regulate CO2.

Pacific Gas & Electric and two other energy companies have already quit the Chamber over its extreme views on the environment. When some of the biggest energy companies in the world are calling you "dirty," it's time to clean up your act.

But the Chamber of Commerce isn't listening. Even after Apple quit, Chamber CEO Tom Donohue refused to acknowledge that his organization is far out of the mainstream. Instead, he blamed the resignations on an "orchestrated pressure campaign" by environmentalists.

How radical is the Chamber on climate? It's gone so far as to question the science behind global warming and threatened to sue the EPA if it follows through on regulating greenhouse gases.

We can't let this stand. Help us keep the up the momentum and join us in asking every CEO serving on the Chamber of Commerce board to quit the Chamber and renounce its radical stance.

QUIT THE CHAMBER

JOIN THE PLANET

We'll deliver a petition including your signature to every board member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce:

"The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has taken a radical stance against climate change legislation and is promoting dangerous junk science to block needed reforms. I urge you and your company to denounce the Chamber's extremist position on global warming and revoke your membership effective immediately."

Complete the following to sign the petition. You'll receive periodic updates on offers and activism opportunities.

Tell my Facebook friends about this petition!

Help us put the heat on the members of the board to quit the Chamber of Commerce and join the planet.

AT&T
James W. Cicconi
Senior Executive Vice President, External and Legislative Affairs

State Farm Insurance Companies
James E. Rutrough
Vice Chairman and Chief Administrative Officer

United Parcel Service
Marcel Dubois
Vice President, Corporate Public Affairs

The Charles Schwab Corporation
Carrie Dwyer
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Edward Jones
John W. Bachmann
Senior Partner

FedEx Express
Michael L. Ducker
President, International

Pfizer Inc.
Richard H. Bagger
Senior Vice President

Xerox Corporation
Patricia Elizondo
Senior Vice President, Eastern Operations

ConocoPhillips
Red Cavaney
Senior Vice President, Government Affairs

Massey Energy Company
Don L. Blankenship
Chairman, CEO and President

Spencer Stuart
Kevin M. Connelly
Chairman

American Water Works Company, Inc.
Donald L. Correll
President and CEO

Landstar System, Inc
Jeffrey C. Crowe
Chairman

Lockheed Martin Corporation
Brian D. Dailey
Senior Vice President, Washington Operations (Retired)

Deloitte LLP
Brian L. Derksen
Deputy CEO

U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Edward B. Dinan
Director

Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Timothy C. Everett
Vice President and Secretary

DonahueFavret Contractors Holding Company
Maura W. Donahue
President

U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Thomas J. Donohue
President and Chief Executive Officer

Ryder System, Inc.
Robert D. Fatovic
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Cargill, Inc.
Richard Frasch
Senior Vice President

Leading Authorities, Inc.
Mark D. French
President

U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Ted R. French
Director

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
Craig L. Fuller
President and CEO

Emerson
Walter J. Galvin
Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

My Chef Catering
William Garlough
President and Founder

AEGON N.V.
Donald J. Shepard
Chairman, Retired

VAST Solutions, LLC
Roland H. Vaughan
Founding Partner

Walker Information
Steven F. Walker
Chairman of the Board, President & Chief Executive Officer

Allied Capital Corporation
William L. Walton
CEO/Chairman of the Board/President/Director

Telcom Ventures, L.L.C.
Dr. Rajendra Singh
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

The Coaching Group, LLC
Joshua I. Smith
Chairman and Managing Partner

Deere & Company
Charles R. Stamp, Jr.
Vice President, Public Affairs Worldwide

The Robertson Foundation
Greg Lebedev
Senior Advisor

Nortex Holdings, Inc.
Larry A. Liebenow
President and CEO

CAIVIS Acquisition Corp.
David A. Steinberg
President & CEO

CVK Personnel Management & Training Specialists
C. Virginia Kirkpatrick
President/Owner

Sunrise Senior Living, Inc.
Paul J. Klaassen
Founder, Chairman of the Board

The Dow Chemical Company
David E. Kepler
Executive Vice President, Business Services Group
Chief Sustainability Officer
Chief Information Officer

US Airways
C.A. Howlett
Senior Vice President, Public Affairs

Eastman Kodak Company
Gerard K. Meuchner
Director, Communications and Public Affairs and Vice President

Alcoa, Inc.
Klaus Kleinfeld
President and Chief Executive Officer

Buffalo Supply, Inc.
Harold L. Jackson
President and CEO

HARM GROUP LLC
Peter B. Lilly
President

Quam-Nichols Company, Inc.
William G. Little
President & CEO

FACES Day Spa
Patricia Owen
Owner

PERMAC Industries
Darlene M. Miller
President and CEO

Hawk Corporation
Ronald E. Weinberg
Chairman & CEO

Southern Company
Christopher C. Womack
Executive Vice President, President-External Affairs

Vulcan Materials Company
Donald M. James
Chairman and CEO

A.O. Smith Corporation
Paul W. Jones
Chairman and CEO

Alpha Technologies, Inc.
Fred Kaiser
Chairman and CEO

Fluor Corporation
John L. Hopkins
Group Executive

Constangy, Brooks & Smith, LLC
W. Melvin Haas, III
Managing Partner

Paper and Chemical Supply Company
CEO/President
David Muhlendorf

Officer of Cousins Properties, Incorporated AGL Resources Inc.
Thomas D. Bell, Jr.
Chairman and Chief Executive

Arnel & Affiliates
George L. Argyros
Chairman & CEO

J.R.'s Stockyards Inn
James M. Wordsworth
President

Entergy Services, Inc.
Gary J. Taylor
Group President, Utility Operations

Oldcastle, Inc.
Mark S. Towe
Chief Executive Officer

Siemens Corporation
George Nolen
President and CEO

PEPCO Holdings Inc.
Joseph M. Rigby
Chairman of the Board, President and CEO

Making headway! The Chamber in the news:

Energy Secretary: "I think it's wonderful" companies are leaving the Chamber
Reuters, 10/8/09

Chamber fires back at climate critics
Politico, 10/8/09

Markey to Chamber: Follow Those Companies That Want Action, Not Talk
globalwarming.gov, 10/8/09

PG&E leaves
New York Times, 9/22/09

Chamber and "Scopes Monkey Trial"
The Wonk Room, 8/25/09

Anheuser-Busch Companies
David Peacock
President

Fox Entertainment Group
Lynn L. Franzoi
Senior Vice President, Benefits

Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.
Jan L. Jones
President of Government Relations and Communications

IBM Corporation
Mark Loughridge
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Accenture
Lisa M. Mascolo
U.S. Country Managing Director

3M
Robert D. MacDonald
Senior Vice President, Marketing and Sales

Amway
Steve Van Andel
Chairman

Wegmans Food Markets, Inc.
Paul S. Speranza, Jr., Esq.
Vice Chairman, General Counsel and Secretary

New York Life Insurance Company
Ted Mathas
Chairman, President & CEO

American Medical Association
Michael D. Maves, MD, MBA
Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer

CVS Caremark Corporation
Douglas A. Sgarro
Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer

Stanwich Group LLC
Harry W. Clark
Senior Counselor, Brunswick Group
Managing Partner

Kirby Financial, LLC
Dan Kirby
President

The Carlyle Group
Randal K. Quarles
Managing Director

Rolls-Royce North America, Inc.
James M. Guyette
President and Chief Executive Officer

AGCO Corporation
Martin H. Richenhagen
Chairman, President & CEO

Caterpillar Inc.
Stuart L. Levenick
Group President

Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Thomas A. Gottschalk
Of Counsel

Tandy Leather Factory, Inc.
Shannon L. Greene
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

High Companies
S. Dale High
Chairman

Norfolk Southern Corporation
James A. Hixon
Executive Vice President
Law and Corporate Relations

CUNA Mutual Group
Jeffrey D. Holley
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

KCI Technologies, Inc.
Terry F. Neimeyer
CEO and Chairman of the Board

International Bancshares Corporation
Dennis E. Nixon
President & CEO

Hutchison Advisors
Thomas Hutchison III
CEO

Ingram Industries Inc.
Orrin H. Ingram
President and Chief Executive Officer

National Black Chamber of Commerce
Harry C. Alford
President & CEO

National Association of Chain Drug Stores
Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE
President & CEO

Memphis Chemical & Janitorial Supply Company
Charles E. Barnes, Sr.
President

Awkard & Associates
Linda N. Awkard

UniGroup, Inc.
Richard H. McClure
President

Nana Development Corporation
James W. Mendenhall, P.E.
Vice President

Pool Corporation
Manuel Perez de la Mesa
President and CEO

48hourprint.com
Raymond E. Pinard
President and CEO

Duke Energy Corp.
James E. Rogers
President and CEO

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation
Matthew K. Rose
Chairman, President and CEO

Ruan Transportation Management Systems
John Ruan III
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

CNL Financial Group, Inc.
Tracy G. Schmidt
Chief Financial Officer

Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
Winthrop M. Hallett, III IOM
President

Navistar, Inc.
James L. Hebe
Senior Vice President, North American Sales Operations

HPA Strategies
Kevin Herglotz
President

Ford Motor company,
AGCO Corporation
Gerald L. Shaheen
Director

Trailmobile Corporation
Edward Wanandi
Chairman

Human Genome Sciences, Inc.
H. Thomas Watkins
President and Chief Executive Officer

Con-way Inc.
David L. Miller
Vice-President Global Policy and Economic Sustainability

Peabody Energy
Fredrick D. Palmer
Senior Vice President - Government Relations

U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Brian O'Hara
Director

Mountain Plains Equity Group, Inc.
Donald J. Sterhan
President

RPM International, Inc.
Frank Sullivan
Chairman and CEO

Tramco, Inc.
Leon Trammell
Chief Executive Officer

Melaleuca, Inc.
Frank L. VanderSloot
President and Chief Executive Officer

COMSYS Information Technology Services, Inc.
Stephen R. Van Meter
Senior Director

MI Industries
Robert S. Milligan
Chairman

Mindover Corp.
Ronald T. Monford
Chairman and CEO

Authentix, Inc.
David F. Moxam
Chairman and CEO

PG&E, PNM Energy, Apple, and Exelon Energy have already quit the Chamber.

MoveOn.org

Harry Reid: Include the Public Option

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Subject: Harry Reid Hi, After months of delay, the full Senate is about to debate and vote on landmark health care legislation. But first, Senator Harry Reid and Democratic leaders have a big decision to make: Will the Senate consider real health care reform with a public health insurance option, or a watered-down compromise full of giveaways to Big Insurance? I just signed a petition asking Sen. Reid to include a strong public health insurance option in the Senate's health care bill. Will you join me at the link below? http://pol.moveon.org/harryreid/?r_by=17539-9284747-m4cR3Fx&rc=paste Thanks!

The final step:

Donate: Can you make a financial contribution to support this campaign?
Volunteer: We need your help. If you have some time to give, press here.

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