Public Option Compromise Gains Steam

The public option lives: both conservative and liberal Democrats seem to like an idea proposed by Chuck Schumer to establish a national health plan but allow states to opt out if they so choose. Conservative Ben Nelson has backed it, and a spokesman for Max Baucus said he might join in if he's sure of 60 votes. "The idea is still very young, and has a long way to go," writes Brian Beutler of Talking Points Memo. "But it seems to be finding friends very quickly."

Howard Dean said he would vote for it if he were in Congress because it's genuine reform, while the director of Health Care for America Now said the proposal is “clearly much better than triggers and opt-ins." The talks continue as Baucus' committee scheduled a vote on Tuesday for its long-awaited bill, notes the Washington Post.
(More health care reform stories.)