Senate Bill Now Includes Public Option

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid thinks he has 60 votes to pass a health care reform bill that includes a public option. There are 58 Democrats and 2 independents. The bill includes the allowance that states can "opt out" if they choose within a specified timeframe.

Its important to remember we're still a long way off from a final bill to be voted on by the Senate. It could be mid to late November before a final vote on the Senate bill is taken. It still needs to be reconciled with the House's final version.

It looks very likely that the House will approve a bill that includes a public option. Even if two dozen "blue dogs" vote against it, the house bill with a public option will still pass.

Reaction from key Senators
The reaction from moderate Democrats - they fear a public plan could drive insurers out of business and take over the marketplace - ranged from muted to skeptical.

Snowe
The one Republican who has so far lent her support to Democratic health overhaul proposals, Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine, said she was "deeply disappointed" by Reid's decision. Snowe had supported allowing government insurance in individual states only if the private market wasn't providing sufficient choice and competition. Its likely that "deeply disappointed" signals a NO VOTE from Snowe.

Among the moderates whose support is in question are Democratic Sens. Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana.

Landrieu said in a statement that she's still "very skeptical" about a government plan run from Washington but would keep working with Reid to find a "principled compromise."

Nelson "is not committing how we will vote regarding any proposal Sen. Reid is advancing," said spokesman Jake Thompson.

Lincoln, who's up for re-election in 2010, said through a spokesman she intends to study the details and decide how to vote based on the impact on her home state.

Lieberman
Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman (Ind.) said Tuesday that while he won't vote to block Majority Leader Harry Reid's plan from going to the Senate floor for debate, he would ultimately oppose the measure because it includes a public option. Lieberman's vote is often counted within the 60 votes needed to pass a Senate bill.

Collins
Meanwhile, Maine Republican Susan Collins, who had earlier indicated interest in trying to pass a bipartisan bill this year, issued a statement underscoring her opposition to "a taxpayer-subsidized, government-run health insurance company."

This information is from the Associated Press.