Health Bill to include public option

Washington: Majority leader Harry Reid announced on Monday that he would include a government-backed insurance plan in Senate health care reform legislation, a key concession to liberals who have threatened to oppose a bill without such a "public option".

Reid's decision represented a reversal from two weeks ago, when the Nevada Democrat appeared inclined to set aside the idea — among the most divisive in the health reform debate — in an attempt to avoid alienating party moderates.

Doubts remain about whether Reid has the votes to guarantee passage, but he said he concluded that in the interest of bringing the strongest possible bill to the Senate floor next month, adding a public option was a risk worth taking.

"We've spent countless hours over the last few days in consultation with senators who've shown a genuine desire to reform the health care system," Reid said. "And I believe there's a strong consensus to move forward in this direction."

The Senate provision would give states the right to opt out of a national government plan, though Reid spokesman Jim Manley was unable to provide further details.