While a progressive leader and a vocal supporter of health care reform, Rep. Jan Schakowsky has in recent months failed to join some of her Illinois colleagues in pledging to vote against any reform package that does not include a public insurance option.  Today, however, she released her strongest statement to date, declaring "I will support nothing short of a robust public health insurance plan":

"Many Members of Congress -- including myself -- will not support a health insurance reform bill that does not break the strangle hold of private insurance companies on our health care system.  That requires that consumers have a choice of a robust public health insurance plan.  I will support nothing short of a robust public health insurance plan upon implementation, no triggers.  I believe Congress will pass and the President will sign such a bill this Fall."  

Schakowsky's statement comes on the heels of President Obama's announcement that he plans to scale back and simplify certain contentious aspects of the health care package.  Schakowsky appeared on MSNBC's The Ed Show yesterday to discuss that news and the prospects for meaningful reform this fall.  During the segment, she also derided the "he said/she said" media coverage that has allowed so many misleading claims about the Democratic plan to go unchallenged.  Watch it: