WASHINGTON — Senators are considering three different designs for a new government health insurance plan that middle-income Americans could buy into for the first time, congressional officials said Friday. Officials familiar with the proposals said senators plan to debate the options in a closed meeting next week.
Creating a public plan is one of the most contentious ideas in the debate over how to overhaul the nation’s health care system to cover the uninsured and try to restrain costs.
President Barack Obama and many Democrats say a government option would serve as a check to keep the private insurance industry honest.
Insurers fear the government would use its power to drive them out of business. Employer groups also are opposed.
And Republicans call a public plan in the legislation a dealbreaker.
by the associated press
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