Robert Reich, former Secretary of Labor under President Clinton, explains how the public healthcare option would work. It would be able to negotiate lower prices because of its size and power, but would only be one choice among many that people could select to buy into. He also explains how local co-ops would not be as effective as a large, nationwide public service, and points out the interests that are lining up to try to defeat the public option. Reich finishes with a call to action, exhorting people to act now and contact their representatives and senators in support of the public option and strong healthcare reform.

—Sarah Jaffe