Some news outlets looked beyond the Senate Finance Committee vote on health reform to what may be in the final package considered by the full Senate.
Politico: "Groping for a way out of a political bind, Democrats are defining down what constitutes a government-run insurance plan — and by extension, what it takes to declare victory. At this point, Senate Democrats are signaling they could get behind just about anything they could plausibly call the public option — from a 'trigger' that could kick in a public insurance plan later, to Delaware Sen. Tom Carper's proposal to give states an option to create a government program. Liberals who've long distrusted private insurers and dreamed of a nationwide, government-run insurance plan see it as a cave-in. Senate leaders see something different — a path to 60 votes for the first time all year."
"'It's a tried-and-true legislative strategy for getting everyone to 'yes,' ' said a Democratic strategist familiar with congressional leadership strategy. 'Narrow your differences by broadening the definition of what constitutes success." (Budoff Brown, 10/11).
The Los Angeles Times had a Q & A about the week ahead, which included the following: .
"What is the 'opt-out' public option being discussed as a possible compromise?
A proposal championed by Sens. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Thomas R. Carper (D-Del.) would allow states to decide whether they want to include a government-run insurance plan on a state insurance exchange. The idea is an attempt to attract liberal supporters who believe a so-called public option must be part of a final bill and moderates who don't want to force the option on states. The provision is not currently part of the Finance bill, but could be added by Reid or through an amendment on the Senate floor" (Geiger, 10/11).