Reid, Carper to Unveil New Public Option

Facing the reality that his "opt-out" public option doesn't have enough votes to clear the Senate, Harry Reid will reveal a Plan B public option next week in a bid to break the gridlock on health reform. The new plan, largely the work of Sen. Tom Carper, looks likely to feature a "hammer public option" recently touted by Carper, The Hill reports.

The "hammer" plan, a response to centrists' concerns about the heavy hand of government in Reid's plan, is a public option that would kick in only in states where private insurers don't meet standards of availability and affordability. The bill would establish a national public insurance program but have a non-governmental board run it. Carper said he is trying to “thread the needle” between conservative Dems who oppose a public option and liberals who insist on it.