House Democrats included it in their legislation. In the Senate, it drew opposition from Democratic moderates whose votes are essential to the bill's fate. Even attempts to include an expansion of Medicare for uninsured individuals as young as age 55 — widely viewed as a face-saving proposal for liberals — had to be jettisoned.
Given the opposition in the Senate, Pelosi, D-Calif., signaled late last year she did not view a public option as a requirement for a final compromise. Asked in an interview Dec. 16 whether she could support legislation without it, she said, "It depends what else is in the bill."
More recently, she listed her goals for a House-Senate compromise without mentioning the provision she long has backed.
"We are optimistic that there is much that we have in common in both of our bills and that we will resolve or reconcile this legislation in a way that is a triple A rating: affordability for the middle class, accountability for the insurance companies, and accessibility to many more people in our country to quality, affordable health care," she said.
While Obama favors a government option, he has said repeatedly it is only a small part of his overall effort to remake the health care system, and is not essential.
Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., have expressed optimism about chances for a swift agreement, but there appears to be relatively little maneuvering room. That is particularly true in the Senate, where 60 votes will be needed to overcome a Republican filibuster, and any change carries the risk of alienating a Democrat whose vote is crucial.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100109/ap_on_bi_ge/us_health_care_overhaul;_ylt=AqG3kmQk.HvQt_JScY2Y0PiyFz4D;_ylu=X3oDMTJvdmlxdG9pBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwMTA5L3VzX2hlYWx0aF9jYXJlX292ZXJoYXVsBGNwb3MDMQRwb3MDMgRzZWMDeW5fdG9wX3N0b3J5BHNsawNnb3Zlcm5tZW50aGU-
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