Public option question still unanswered: Reid won't commit to public plan

[cal04]

Public option question still unanswered
http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/63917-public-option-question-still-unanswered

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Tuesday that healthcare bill negotiators have no clear answer yet on whether the final product will include a public option plan.

(snip)
Senate leaders and White House officials are scheduled to gather Tuesday night for a third meeting on how to merge the Senate’s two competing healthcare bills.

Reid’s response to reporters on Tuesday suggests that the high-level meetings have so far focused on the peripheral, less controversial aspects of the bills passed by the HELP Committee in July and the Finance Committee last week. The question of a government role in healthcare has long since emerged as Republicans’ biggest complaint about the Democratic health reform effort.

Asked Tuesday if the talks are leaning “for or against” including a public option in the final merged bill, Reid delivered a deadpan attempt at humor, saying they are leaning “toward talking about” a public option.


Reid won’t commit to public plan: ‘No decision’s been made yet.’
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/10/20/reid-public-option-no-decision/
(snip)
REID: He said, are we leaning toward or against the public option. I said we’re leaning toward talking about a public option. No decision’s been made. We had a — not a long discussion last night on public option. I’ve had a number of meetings in my office dealing with Democrats and Republicans on the public option aspect of it.

Reid concluded, “It’s not done yet.” Watch it:
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/10/20/reid-public-option-no-decision/

[MNDemNY]

1. They need that health care money now, they don't need your vote 'til later.