So yesterday I submitted a comment to one of my Senators, Mark Warner of Virginia expressing my strong support for Health Care Reform only if it includes a strong public option.  Today I received a response from his office that interestingly completely ignores the Public Option question.  It does however express that Senator Warner doesn't support a Single Payer program which with his pro-business background I'm not suprised about; but it basically talks past the question of Public Option.

"Although I do not support a government-run single-payer health care system, I believe we need comprehensive reform to achieve a competitive, cost-effective, and efficient system.  This effort should be primarily focused on ensuring that all Americans can get adequate health coverage, and the coverage must be cost-effective and based upon data-driven medical standards.  We must ensure that competition remains among health care providers because it is precisely that competition that drives innovation and cost reduction in the industry.  Any final reform should also include measures to promote prevention and wellness, senior navigation through the health system, health information technology ("health IT") and telemedicine."

My glass half full side says that he is leaving the door open to support of a good bill with a Public Option; but of course there is another half of that glass and it tells me that he doesn't have the guts to say to one of his constituents that he won't vote how I've asked him to.

Let's all pray that Senator Warner and the other moderate Dems in the Senate step up and do the right thing for the American people and ensure us a final bill with a Strong Public Option.