Reid supports public option for Senate health bill

• Article
• Comments ()
• Click-2-Listen

By Joseph Weber

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Monday he will attempt to include a government insurance plan in Senate legislation to reform the U.S. health-care system.

"It is not a silver bullet but an important way to insure competition," he said during an afternoon press conference.

Mr. Reid said he now will submit several versions of the legislation to the Congressional Budget Office for cost analysis. One version will include an "opt out" clause that would allow states not to participate.

The announcement came two weeks after Mr. Reid, Nevada Democrat, said he likely would not attempt to include the so-called public option.

Mr. Reid said he had met with Senate leaders over the weekend before making his decision about the public option.