Senator Bernie Sanders said Sunday that without a strong public option, which would reduce health care costs by competing with private insurance companies, he expects a number of senators would not support final passage of health care legislation.  “The overwhelming majority of Americans want to be able to choose between a strong public option and a private insurance plan.  Without that competition, there is very little in this bill that would keep health insurance premiums from escalating rapidly,” Sanders said. 

“This legislation cannot simply be a huge subsidy to private insurance companies that will get millions of new customers and be able to raise their rates as high as they want,” he added. “I strongly suspect that there are  a number of senators, including myself, who would not support final passage without a strong public option,” he said.

The senator’s comments came a day after the Senate on Saturday night voted to take up health care legislation. Sanders voted with the 60-to-39 majority that cut off a Republican filibuster and cleared the way for senators to begin to debate the bill.

“While I voted to proceed to the health care legislation, I have made it clear to the administration and the Senate Democratic leadership that my vote for the final bill is by no means guaranteed.  In the weeks to come I intend to do everything I can to make this legislation stronger and more effective for working families and taxpayers in Vermont and America and something all Americans can be proud of.”