House and Senate Democratic leadership insist that a public option will remain in comprehensive reform legislation, despite opposition from the GOP and members of their own party.
“There will be a public option,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) at a news conference with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) following a meeting with President Barack Obama, who is preparing to address Congress on his reform goals Wednesday evening.
“It will be essential to passing the bill,” Pelosi said of the option. “It will keep the insurance companies honest, and expand coverage,” she said, adding if opponents had a better idea, they should “put it on the table. For the moment however, the overwhelming majority of House members support a public option, and we will have it in our bill.”