President Obama: Public option helps health care competition

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090912/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_public_option

President Barack Obama says he wants to see a government-run option in the health care overhaul and remains open on "how to set this up."

Speaking at a rally Saturday in Minneapolis, Obama was responding to growing concerns that the government could squeeze out private insurers and lead to a federal takeover of health care.

Obama stressed that a government-run plan would be one of many options for people seeking affordable care. He said it will promote more competition and "no one would be forced to choose it."

He also pledged that with a public option "no government bureaucrat or insurance company bureaucrat gets between you and the coverage that you need."