Public Option Continues to Divide Reformers

Opinion among Democratic supports of health reform varies widely on the matter of the public option. Fiscal conservatives threaten not to vote for a bill with it, supporters not to vote for one without it. The leadership also seems to struggle. Senate Majority Leader Harry Read says, “My first choice is a public option, because I think it will create competition and make the insurance companies more honest. My No. 2 choice is the trigger that Snowe talked about.” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has insisted that the eventual House bill will have a public option. And the "trigger" mechanism? “I don't even want to talk about a trigger,” Pelosi said, describing it as “an excuse for not doing anything.” You can read more about public option debate here.