Politics | public option Obama Praises Public-Option Compromise President praises deal, says it will still provide more choice By Nick McMaster Posted Dec 9, 2009 4:37 PM CST Copied Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., accompanied by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., right, and Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin of Ill., in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) President Obama applauded Senate Democrats for yielding on the public option in favor of a "creative framework" for health care reform that could attract wider support. "I support this effort, especially since it's aimed at increasing choice and competition and lowering cost," Obama said at a health care rally in DC. "I want to thank all of you for sticking with it, for all those late nights, all the long weekends that you guys have put in." The deal, worked out last night, includes expanding Medicare and creating national insurance policies that are privately administered, the Washington Post reports. Harry Reid now must make sure that the compromise attracts sufficient support among fence-sitters. Joe Lieberman, who has been one of the harshest critics of the public plan, said after the deal that he was "encouraged" by the bill's progress. Read These Next You're probably saying 'Denzel' wrong. Something weird is happening in the Gulf of Panama. Congress shares the 'missing minute' from Epstein jail video. Jet lag apparently played a role in this CEO's downfall. Report an error