State legislators and activists from across the country convened on Washington, D.C. on Wednesday to push Congress and President Barack Obama to include a government-run insurance plan as a part of health care reform. The group was scheduled to meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill and with White House officials.

During a news conference with the state legislators held to highlight their efforts, U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen, D-Appleton, said health care reform must be national in scope.

"It should be abundantly clear that this health care problem can not be solved state by state by state," Kagen said.

Meanwhile, Citizen Action of Wisconsin's Robert Kraig said both his group and the Progressive States Network are emphasizing the importance of passing reform that includes a public option to compete with private insurance companies.

"We need a very strong plan that actually lowers costs and creates affordable access for everyone," Kraig said. "We think a public health insurance choice is one of those elements."

"If we just pass something that's a face-saving compromise that looks good here in the Capitol but doesn't actually get skyrocketing costs," Kraig continued, "Then we haven't solved the problem."

President Obama has demanded that the Congress pass a major health care reform bill this year. He has set Oct. 15 as a deadline for a bill to land on his desk.

- David M. Drucker