I strongly support creating a public option in our health care system, efforts to address health disparities, and policies that will address the rise of prescription drug costs.
Support creating a public option in the health care system.
Occurrences
Evidence
legacy_unverified · Source version not recorded · locator unknown
“I strongly support creating a public option in our health care system...”
legacy_unverified · Source version not recorded · locator unknown
The bill title and text state it is 'To establish a State public option through Medicaid...' and McCollum is listed as an original cosponsor on 03/22/2024.
legacy_unverified · Source version not recorded · locator unknown
GovInfo lists the bill as establishing a State public option and includes Betty McCollum among the named cosponsors.
legacy_unverified · Source version not recorded · locator unknown
Congress.gov lists H.R.3995, the 119th Congress State Public Option Act, as introduced on 06/12/2025, with latest action referral to House Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means, status Introduced, and Cosponsors (0).
legacy_unverified · Source version not recorded · locator unknown
Congress.gov lists H.R.7809, the 118th Congress State Public Option Act, as still Introduced, with latest action on 12/17/2024 referral to the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health; it lists Rep. Betty McCollum as a cosponsor dated 03/22/2024.
Assessments
McCollum publicly supported a public option and cosponsored the 118th Congress State Public Option Act, which was a serious federal legislative effort. But the bill did not become law, the 119th Congress version also had not advanced beyond introduction/referral, and no federal public option was created. Under the adjudication rule, a serious attempt without delivery of the promised policy outcome is classified as never with an effort badge.
The promise is to support creation of a public option, not necessarily to singlehandedly enact one. The evidence shows McCollum publicly endorsed a public option and took concrete legislative action by cosponsoring H.R. 7809, the State Public Option Act, in 2024. That demonstrates meaningful support and effort in office. However, the evidence does not show that a federal public option was enacted or that the promised policy outcome was achieved. Under the campaign-promise standard, advocacy and cosponsorship alone are not full delivery of creating a public option, but they do warrant partial credit for materially supporting the policy.