Following the success of its national television ad critical of health care legislation in Congress, the U.S. Chamber participated in rallies, public forums, and other events in Colorado and Louisiana last week to educate citizens and lawmakers on the pitfalls of a "public option" health plan that would allow the government to compete with the private sector in the insurance market.

More than 200 people signed a petition asking for a slower approach to reform during an August 15 rally in Grand Junction, Colorado, sponsored by the Chamber's Campaign for Responsible Health Care Reform.

That same day, small business owners spread out across Louisiana to speak out against the public option and urge other voters to do the same. "From what we've seen on this trip, the majority of people we've talked to are definitely against the public option. I think everyone is sort of anxious about what's going to happen," David Huguenel, the owner of a New Orleans data management company and a volunteer on the campaign's Louisiana tour, told the News-Star newspaper. The tour included stops in Lafayette, Lake Charles, Alexandria, Shreveport and New Orleans.

The Chamber's Campaign for Responsible Health Care Reform is influencing the debate, as various media reports last week suggested that the Obama administration's insistence on public option might be softening. A government-run public option is included in a bill that has passed three House committees. Such a plan could increase the federal deficit by $239 billion, according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office. All eyes–and lobbying efforts–have now turned toward the Senate, where a bipartisan group of six senators are working on a bill to be introduced after members come back from recess in early September.

The Chamber will continue to step up pressure against a public option and an employer mandate in the weeks to come, participating in events in Maine, North Carolina, and Washington state. The Chamber's national television ad is currently running in 20 states, including Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Maine, and North Carolina. The ad and the campaign has drawn the attention of the national press, including NBC's "Meet the Press," and the front page of the New York Times.

Join the campaign at www.responsiblehealthreform.com.