We already know that federal insurance programs work--Medicare and Tricare. Why are they now looking to pilot programs instead? It's just another delaying tactic to prevent the national public option from ever getting started.

It's also interesting that Rep. Clyburn is now pushing this as a compromise since he's a part of the House leadership. On July 13th, he said that a public option would pass the House and get through the Senate via reconciliation. But just a few weeks after that, he said on Bloomberg television that "I do not believe that we have to get to a public option on day one if it takes three, four, five years to get to the public option, the robust public option, I think that's what we ought to do."

Other kossacks also called out "pilot programs" for what they are---another delaying tactic on a national public option:

"we have a pilot program. it's called freaking Medicare. our reps think we are idiots." by whataretheysmoking "Robust, national public option is already a compromise position. Without it, there is no reform. My brother has no health insurance. He will not buy into private care under exchanges because they will be ridiculously expensive without competition from a robust, national public plan. Pilots won't work. They won't have the heft or scope needed to compete. The data does not lie. National public option along the lines of HB 3200 is the final compromise allowable. Anything less is a loss." by YallaDog "Public Option HAS to be National to Succeed.Every minor variation of it: co-ops, regional/state pilot programs, etc will not have the power to compete with WellPoint et al. Right now, the USA has a serious problem trying to regulate Wall Street because of the sheer power of the players. Imagine a smal pilot public option program trying to fight the interests that are giant insurance companies. It is not going to succeed. It will only be a delay. We need a national universal public option, and we need it now." by chechecule

So PLEASE CALL Rep. Clyburn's office at (202) 225-3315 with the talking points below:

Hi, my name is [insert name]. I'd like to thank Rep. Clyburn for supporting the public option, but I don't support any triggers, delays like regional pilot programs that he supports on the public option! Regional pilot programs will not work, and they're another delaying tactic. We already have pilot programs in existence--they're called Medicare and Tricare. We need a national public option on day one, and we NEED it now!

And if you live in Rep. Clyburn's district, PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR about why you want a trigger-free public option, and why you oppose co-ops, triggers, and regional pilot programs as delaying tactics on the public option!

And PLEASE CALL Rep. Slaughter's office at (202) 225-3615 with the talking points below:

Hi, my name is [insert name]. I'd like to thank Rep. Slaughter for supporting the public option, but I don't support any triggers, delays like regional pilot programs that he supports on the public option! Regional pilot programs will not work, and they're another delaying tactic. We already have pilot programs in existence--they're called Medicare and Tricare. We need a national public option on day one, and we NEED it now!

And if you live in Rep. Slaughter's district, PLEASE WRITE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR about why you want a trigger-free public option, and why you oppose co-ops, triggers, and regional pilot programs as delaying tactics on the public option!

Please continue to call the Congressional Progressive Caucus to let them know that you don't want any triggers, co-ops, or pilot programs as delaying tactics for a national public option! Thank them for supporting the public option, and urge them to stand firm on the line in the sand for the public option as an essential part of real health care reform!

When you call, please REPORT BACK and remember to follow these steps below as outlined by nyceve:

It's not enough to be told the member supports a public option. Anyone who calls needs to ask the follow up: it's great they support it, but I need them to commit to ONLY vote for a bill with a public option. No coops, no triggers. Nothing less. Will they do that? This is what the offices need to hear - not just support. Hold the line. Please then report back on the form, what you've unearthed.

I'm still working on the new media project for a trigger-free public option, and will be finishing the web video this weekend. I do have a slideshow up that I'd like to share with you guys!

If you want to send in more pictures before the close of this weekend, please do so now!

1. Take a picture of yourself with a sign explaining why you want a trigger-free public option. 2. You can e-mail the picture to me at pleasehelpfreebarneythedog at gmail dot com.

Also please help support our work (since we do literally work for you guys) by donating to our fund at Firedoglake! Your donations go to our living stipends, expenses, and travel costs, including awesome tools like these.