Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

I am very pleased that the President is bringing members of Congress together this week to advance health insurance reform. With our rising premium costs and high un-insurance rates, no state stands to benefit more than New Mexico from passing reform legislation.

Over the past few weeks, I have been contacted by many New Mexicans who have expressed their support for the inclusion of the "public option" in our reform efforts.  I strongly agree.  I helped craft the public option plan in the HELP Committee's version of reform legislation, and have taken every opportunity to vote for public option proposals in the HELP Committee, in the Finance Committee and on the Senate floor.  I spoke this week to Majority Leader Reid about my support of this important policy.  It is my hope that the bill we send to the president contains a public option.  The Majority Leader has expressed his support for the public option, and I will continue to work with him to try and achieve that goal.

It is my hope that the bill we send to the president contains a public option. The Majority Leader has expressed his support for the public option, and I will continue to work with him to try and achieve that goal. 

Please see the comprehensive list of the work and statements I have made on health insurance reform legislation for more information.