Harkin on public option being “in”

Senator Tom Harkin issued a statement this afternoon on a developing story in D.C. : Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says the senate health care reform bill will include a so-called “public option.”   The White House issued a statement, too (and the statement seems to confirm Harkin is not involved in internal negotiations, as it credits Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd — the interim leader of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee for Senator Kennedy — rather than Harkin for work on the deal).  Read both statements below:

STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN TOM HARKIN (D-IA) ON SENATE HEALTH REFORM MEASURE AND THE PUBLIC OPTION

SHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today issued the following statement after Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced he will move forward with a health reform measure that includes a public insurance option.  Harkin chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

“I support Majority Leader Reid’s decision to include a public option in the Senate health reform measure.  There is strong support among Senate Democrats and around the country to improve access and affordability and an effective public option can achieve that as part of national health reform.  A recent series of polls – most recently in the Washington Post – shows the public wants this option. Today’s announcement brings us one step closer to making that reform a reality.”

STATEMENT FROM PRESS SECRETARY ROBERT GIBBS ON HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM

“The President congratulates Senator Reid and Chairmen Baucus and Dodd for their hard work on health insurance reform. Thanks to their efforts, we’re closer than we’ve ever been to solving this decades-old problem. And while much work remains, the President is pleased that at the progress that Congress has made. He’s also pleased that the Senate has decided to include a public option for health coverage, in this case with an allowance for states to opt out. As he said to Congress and the nation in September, he supports the public option because it has the potential to play an essential role in holding insurance companies accountable through choice and competition.”