Public option dropped

Democratic senators say they have a tentative deal to drop a government-run insurance option from health care legislation. Earlier today the Senate rejected an amendment that
would have added tougher abortion insurance restrictions. Looks like they're close to cutting a deal.

Here's a bit from AP via LAT:

Liberals and moderates have been discussing an alternative, including a private insurance arrangement to be supervised by the federal agency that oversees the system through which lawmakers purchase coverage. Additionally, talks centered on opening Medicare to uninsured Americans beginning at age 55, a significant expansion of the large government healthcare program that currently serves the over-65 population.

This from the NYT:

The Senate majority leader, Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, said Senate leaders "have a broad agreement" on dropping a government-run plan from the health care bill, and that the Congressional Budget Office would review the implications of such a move on the budget.

Updated post