WASHINGTON, Oct 22, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Top Democrats are leaning toward
including a publicly funded health insurance option in a healthcare reform bill
in the U.S. Senate, sources said Thursday.
Following a meeting of Senate leaders and administration officials, two senior
Democratic senators told CNN Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., is
leaning toward a government-run public option that states could opt out of, the
sources said. Reid is preparing to take a healthcare bill to the full Senate.
Republicans and some conservative Democrats have consistently opposed a public
option. Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine -- the only Republican who has supported any
healthcare reform proposal to date -- told CNN through a spokesman she opposes
even a public option with an opt-out provision.
Democrats argue a non-profit public option would lower healthcare insurance
costs through competition and make coverage more accessible. Opponents say a
public option would eventually eliminate private health insurance and result in
a government takeover of healthcare.
Congressional committees have approved five different versions of health care
reform, and four of them include a public option.
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