Senator Harry Reid has taken a risky move by pushing hard for a public insurance option in the Senate bill for healthcare legislation. Although this has been a sticking point, and was even omitted from the House version, I think it’s one of the most important elements of the debate. Without a public option, there will be no real change in how we receive health care. 

Obama has been a big supporter of a public option, but conservatives and industry groups have cried foul since the beginning of the process. Reid believes he is only a few votes away from the magic number of 60, and has proposed that state’s be given the option to “opt-out” of a public option policy. This may be enough to make the public option a reality. Read more at the huffingtonpost.