Sen. Jeff Merkley spoke for 15 hours to protest the nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court.
John Rosman / OPB
U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) is touring the state, trying to build support for a public option to be included in the health insurance marketplaces.
“Now it’s time to build on the success of the Affordable Care Act and create a Medicare-like public option," he said.
"That insures coverage for every consumer, that lowers costs and premiums by driving up competition. That holds insurance companies accountable by giving the American people greater choice about where they get their insurance.”
Merkley recently introduced the idea into the Senate with 27 co-sponsors, including former presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders.
Progressives say now is the right time to push for change. Hillary Clinton has endorsed a public option and has said if she wins the presidency, it will be part of the opening days of her tenure.
Donald Trump’s position is harder to pin down. In 2000, he supported universal health care. But in more recent interviews he’s said single-payer systems work elsewhere, and has advocated for a private system.
