In what has been portrayed as a turning point in the debate on healthcare reform legislation, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) announced Monday that he will seek to bring a reform bill to the Senate floor that includes a public option. An opt-out clause in the bill would allow states to decide by 2014 not to participate in the government plan, Reid said.
Other public-option approaches under consideration include a "trigger" that would create a government plan if private insurers do not offer policies at affordable prices.
The proposal Reid discussed Monday is a merger of two bills previously approved by Senate committees.
