WASHINGTON -- The Economic Policy Institute released a progressive plan that would provide health care coverage to all Americans today. The plan, written by Jacob Hacker as part of EPI's "Agenda for Shared Prosperity Project," is designed to move a conversation with the public about "new solutions that challenge the conventional economic thinking." The complete plan can be found at www.sharedprosperity.org [1].

Responding to the plan, Campaign for America's Future co-director Roger Hickey announced that his organization will work hard to push a national conversation on the subject.

"We are launching a national effort to discuss and debate how to get good health care coverage for all Americans while controlling spiraling health care costs," said Hickey. "The best way to get a real debate is to put a simple, clear and progressive health care plan on the table. The Hacker plan qualifies on all counts. It will be a benchmark by which all other plans can be judged."

In collaboration with Medicare Rights Center founder Diane Archer, Hickey is working with a network of citizen action groups to foster public forums and internet discussion to create a groundswell of public support for health care coverage for all. Many of the groups lining up in support of a national health care plan were active in the successful grassroots movement to stop President Bush's plan to privatize Social Security. Others are working to pass innovative health care coverage plans at the state level.

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**NOTE: Statements from progressive leaders endorsing the health plan can be found below. Media representatives interested in a copy of Jacob Hacker's health plan can obtain a copy at www.sharedprosperity.org [2]. **

"Health Care for America"