Senate Health Reform Bill will have Public Option

From Bloomberg.com....

Reid Backs Health-Care Public Option, Letting States Opt Out

By Laura Litvan

Oct. 26 (Bloomberg) -- Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid announced his support for establishing a government-run health- insurance program that would allow states to opt out.

Reid said the so called public option with the opt out provision is the “fairest way to go.”

Reid, speaking at a press conference in Washington, said he’ll send health-care legislation to the Congressional Budget Office today for a cost estimate.

The Nevada Democrat said that even though Senator Olympia Snowe, the only Republican to vote for a health-care bill, opposes the public option, he still hopes to get her vote.

Reid also said non-profit health-care cooperatives will be included in the legislation.

To contact the reporter on this story: Laura Litvan in Washington at llitvan@bloomberg.net