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Public option still divides Democrats

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The New York Times

Published: October 28, 2009

WASHINGTON - Senate Democrats voiced deep disagreements Tuesday about the idea of a government-run health insurance plan, suggesting that the decision by Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada to include a public plan in major health care legislation had failed to unite his caucus.

Simply to get the Senate to take up the legislation, Reid has said he needs 60 votes - in effect, all 58 Democrats and the two independents who caucus with them. Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, who had been open to supporting the bill, said Tuesday she would oppose Reid's version because of the public plan.

Though some who oppose a public plan said they were willing to let Reid bring the legislation to the floor, the continuing apprehension of others indicated substantial uncertainty.

Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., who supports a public plan but shepherded a health bill through the Finance Committee without it because he thought it could never win 60 votes, said he could not predict how senators might line up.

"I don't know. I don't know. I don't know," Baucus said when asked whether he had changed his view of the public plan's chances. "I just really don't know."

Among Senate Democrats who have not committed to supporting the bill are Evan Bayh of Indiana, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor of Arkansas, and Ben Nelson of Nebraska.

Democrats expressed confidence that a version of the bill would be adopted.

"The alternative of just packing our bags and moving on to another issue is not there," said Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn.

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