Maybe Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin has a chance yet to redeem herself--vote on the conference committee's version of the bill if the health care bill passes the U.S. Senate and it contains a public option.

From one of the hardest working organizers in South Dakota, Jane Murphy at South Dakotans for Health Care Solultions (SD4HCS):

South Dakotans For Health Care Solutions today issued the following statement to the media and the South Dakota congressional delegation:

“The House took an historic step towards guaranteeing that South Dakota families and businesses have good health coverage they can afford. Members of Congress stood up to the insurance lobbyists, voted to stop insurers from denying people health care when they need it most, and finally brought true choice and competition to the health insurance industry by creating a national public health insurance option.

However, we are extremely disappointed in Representative Herseth Sandlin’s vote against a bill that would lower costs for families and businesses, end insurance company abuses, and bring competition into the health insurance marketplace. Representative Herseth Sandlin will have another chance to support reform when she votes on the conference committee report, and as constituents, we hope she will reconsider her position and vote with us.

Now it’s the Senate’s turn to pass legislation. We look forward to working with the Senate to pass a bill that meets the goal of providing good, affordable coverage for America. We are optimistic that we can get a final health care reform bill to the President’s desk before the end of the year.”