[W]e have to cut the costs of health care. For families who’ve seen health-insurance premiums more than double—from an average of less than $6,000 a year to nearly $13,000 since 1999—one of the most controversial features of reform is one of the most vital. It’s been called the "public plan." Despite what its detractors allege, it’s not "socialism." It could take a number of different forms. Our bill favors a "community health-insurance option." In short, this means that the federal government would negotiate rates—in keeping with local economic conditions—for a plan that would be offered alongside private insurance options. This will foster competition in pricing and services. It will be a safety net, giving Americans a place to go when they can’t find or afford private insurance, and it’s critical to holding costs down for everyone.

‘The Cause of My Life’
Inside the fight for universal health care.
By Edward M. Kennedy | NEWSWEEK
Published Jul 18, 2009

Go read the whole thing and consider attending a town hall meeting and speaking up in favor of effective health care reform. Slinkerwink has a good diary up a DKOS with a request for progressive activists to attend Steny Hoyer’s meeting on Tuesday in Waldorf. MD.