Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) was one of 30 U.S. senators who  signed a letter to majority leader Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) today demanding that a public option be included in any health care reform bill that comes to a vote on the senate floor.

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) did not sign the letter. Her office tells PubliCola:

"Senator Murray worked hard to include a public option in the bill that came out of the HELP committee, and continues to believe strongly that the public option is the best way to reduce costs, increase competition, and give families more health insurance choices. As a member of leadership who will be closely involved in the process of merging the bills, Senator Murray felt it would be  more appropriate to air her views directly with Majority Leader Reid rather than signing on to a letter."

Here are a few key paragraphs from the letter: