Martin Heinrich was one of 49 signatories on a letter (pdf) to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., asking them to include a public option provision in any health care reform bill that passes the House.

A statement from Heinrich’s office says “The public option would be a government-run insurance plan that competes with private insurance companies to hold down rates, and has been a central component of Rep. Heinrich’s principles on health insurance reform.”

The letter calls for “a robust public health insurance option that will provide greater choice and lower costs for American consumers by injecting much needed competition into the health insurance marketplace.”

The letter also says the cost of not enacting health insurance reform would be costly, claiming, “By 2018, [health insurance costs are] expected to nearly double again to $4.3 trillion (20.3 percent of GDP).”

The full text of the letter is available below:

Dear Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer:

We write to reiterate our strong commitment to health insurance reform legislation that includes a robust public health insurance option that will provide greater choice and lower costs for American consumers by injecting much needed competition into the health insurance marketplace.

A critical goal of health care reform should be to lower costs for individuals, small businesses and the federal government. In 1980, the U.S. spent more than $250 billion, or 9 percent of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on health care. In the decades since, that figure has grown to more than $2.2 trillion (16.2% of GDP). By 2018, it is expected to nearly double again to $4.3 trillion (20.3% of GDP). Also during this time, the American people have seen premiums more than double since 2000 while wages have stagnated. Our families and small businesses have paid the hidden costs – to the tune of approximately $1,100 per family – that are the result of subsidizing treatment of the uninsured. These facts underlie the need for the public option and health insurance coverage for all Americans as the best way to reform our inefficient and bloated health system, and reduce the burden placed on America’s families, small business and the federal budget.

The public option is not a pathway to government-run health care for everyone, it is simply another choice for people who need health insurance. We fail to see any reason why we should not seek to increase Americans’ health insurance options.

When weighed against other ideas, the public option remains the most effective tool to bring about competition, choice, efficiency, transparency, and cost reduction in the marketplace. Thank you for considering our views and recognizing the need for a strong public option in any health reform legislation that comes to the House floor.

Sincerely,
[Signatures]

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