Majority Leader Harry Reid announced today that the U.S. Senate has merged health care legislation and will include a so-called "public option," or government-sponsored insurance plan, for people who cannot otherwise access or afford coverage. It is still not clear if Reid has the 60 votes -- including all of his 57 fellow Democrats, two independents and at least one Republican -- to assure final passage of the bill.

Moments ago, the White House press office issued a statement praising Reid, as well as Sens. Max Baucus and Christopher Dodd, who were instrumental in negotiations: “The President congratulates Senator Reid and Chairmen Baucus and Dodd for their hard work on health insurance reform. Thanks to their efforts, we’re closer than we’ve ever been to solving this decades-old problem. And while much work remains, the President is pleased ... at the progress that Congress has made. He’s also pleased that the Senate has decided to include a public option for health coverage, in this case with an allowance for states to opt out. As he said to Congress and the nation in September, he supports the public option because it has the potential to play an essential role in holding insurance companies accountable through choice and competition.”

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Pictured: Reid