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The 'Public Option' Stays Alive for Another Day
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The 'Public Option' Stays Alive for Another Day

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Rumors that the "public option" was dead "were greatly exaggerated," according to one senior Democrat. Now, both the House and the Senate will debate healthcare reform bills including a government-run insurance plan. We hear about that, about cost control and other issues today. Also, the economy's improving, though still dependent on economic stimulus. On Reporter's Notebook, President Obama goes to Dover, Delaware at 4am to observe the return of 18 combat casualties from Afghanistan.

Banner image: Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) speaks during an event at the US Capitol unveiling the House of Representatives' "Affordable Health Care for America Act" today in Washington, DC. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Making News

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After a year of declines, the Gross Domestic Product increased in the third quarter by 3.5%, leading to claims that the worst recession since World War II finally is over. But there's still plenty that's wrong with the economy. Shawn Tully is editor-at-large for Fortune magazine.

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Main Topic

House Democrats Unveil Healthcare Bill, including Public Option ()

Earlier this week, it was the Senate. President Obama pitched healthcare reform again today, this time to an audience of small business owners.  Meantime, Democrats in the House announced it will take up its own version of a government plan to compete with private insurance. Speaker Nancy Pelosi made compromises to get the votes of moderates in her own party. Republicans said her plan came "lurching out of the back rooms…like another freight train of big government with more mandates and more spending and that's not what the American people want in healthcare reform." With debate to begin in both houses, we hear the pros and cons of the "public option" and other issues. If Independent Joe Lieberman won't go along, will a filibuster kill healthcare reform in the Senate?

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Reporter's Notebook

Obama Makes His Own Statement as a War-Time President ()

For 18 years, there was a ban on media coverage of the return of fallen American soldiers from overseas combat. President Obama lifted the ban this year. Early this morning he flew from the White House to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to observe the transfer of 18 coffins from a military plane to the custody of grieving families. Julian Zelizer is Professor of History and Public Affairs at Princeton University.

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