Report: Healthcare 'trigger' gains favor

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- The White House and Senate Democrats are leaning toward a "trigger" that would delay a public option as part of any U.S. healthcare reform, officials said.

Officials said the plan might help persuade moderate Republicans and Democrats to support healthcare reform legislation, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday. Prospects for reform are uncertain as congressional conservatives reject much of what Democrats have proposed and liberal Democrats have become increasingly insistent that reform must include a public option.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Thursday the House will not approve healthcare legislation that does not include a "strong public option" that would allow Americans to buy healthcare coverage at relatively low cost and would promote competition and bring down costs.

The trigger said to be under discussion would postpone a public option while requiring insurance companies to meet benchmarks on insuring more Americans and reducing costs, the Times said. If expectations are not met by a specified deadline, the U.S. government would establish a public health insurance program.

"This is the best shot we've got for getting a public option," said a House Democratic adviser, who asked that his name not be reported. "It's better than nothing."