Liberals fear losing public-plan option

Liberals are growing anxious that a final healthcare reform deal will negotiate away their top priority: a public plan to compete with private insurers. Some Democrats are threatening to oppose any bill that excludes this option, and sympathetic outside groups are pressuring wavering lawmakers. Health Care for America Now, a liberal group, and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees spent $800,000 on television ads targeting moderate Democrats, citing their opposition to a public option.