Senate Votes No to Public Option in Health Care Bill

On September 29, 2009 the US Senate’s Finance Committee voted against two amendments for a public health care option. Opponents to the public option plan believe that government would eventually have full control over health care, leaving private insurers to go out of business. However, Public Option proponents reject this claim, stating that public option would provide needed competition for private insurers while making health coverage accessible to millions of people currently lacking health insurance.

The Finance Committee is the last congressional panel to consider health care legislation before debate begins in the full House and Senate. Democratic proposals passed by another Senate committee and three House committees all include the public insurance option.

In the House, Congressional Leadership have planned a series of meetings to begin merging the three versions passed out of House committees while bringing down the overall cost by $200 billion.

Try Transit Week 2009

Next week, Sept. 28-Oct.2, Triangle Transit partners will be hosting events to encourage public transportation. All bus systems in the Triangle are committed to providing a public transportation system that everyone can use. GoTriangle.org encourages individuals with disabilities to take advantage of the independence and flexibility that is provided by our fixed route and shuttle service. Both seniors and individuals living with disabilities are entitled to discounted fares.

Area Transit Partners: Capital Area Transit, Cary Transit(C-Tran), Chapel Hill Transit,Durham Area Transit Authority, NC State University Wolfline and Triangle Transit will be hosting events which may include a free bus ride. Check out http://www.gotriangle.org/trytransit2009/index.html, for more information.

If you have a physical or mental disability that prevents you from using the bus system, you may qualify for one of the ADA Paratransit programs throughout the Triangle Region.

Eligible residents of Raleigh
CAT's Accessible Raleigh Transit:
Web Site: Click Here
Phone number: 919-890-3459

Eligible residents of Durham
DATA's ACCESS Program
Web Site: http://data.durhamnc.gov/access.cfm
Phone Number: 919-560-1555

Eligible residents of Chapel Hill
EZ Rider Program
Phone Number: 919-968-2755

Eligible residents of Cary
Cary Transit
Web Site: http://www.townofcary.org/ctran/disabled.htm
Phone Number: 919-481-2020

Eligible residents of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill whose travel begins and
ends three-quarters of a mile or less from Triangle Transit routes 402, 403, 412, 413, or 105
Triangle Transit Paratransit System
Web Site: http://www.triangletransit.org/bus/accessibility/
Phone: 919-485-7468