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CHARLESTON - U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., said he would like to see a public option as part of any health care reform package passed by Congress. But if it comes down to it, he'll vote for a bill even if it doesn't include such a plan.
"To me, a public option, while I support it, there are other reforms that I think are just as important," he said.
Members of Congress will return to work Sept. 8 after their month-long August recess, and health care reform will be one of the issues they immediately dive into. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate are drafting separate versions of a health care bill proposed by President Barack Obama. Obama has been pushing Congress to get the legislation passed as soon as possible.
Rahall and members of Congress not only must juggle many special interests groups as they tackle reform, but they also have constituents, including elected officials, back home who have concerns of their own. Gov. Joe Manchin and other governors have expressed worries that a proposed expansion of the Medicaid program could cost states millions of dollars they don't have.
Democratic officials used the August recess to host town halls meetings about health care...