Obama pleased 'public option' in healthcare plan

WASHINGTON Oct 26 (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama is pleased the Senate has included a public option for health insurance coverage, in this case with an allowance for states to opt out, in its healthcare reform plan, the White House said on Monday.

U.S. Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid said on Monday the Senate's sweeping healthcare reform bill would include a government-run public insurance plan that lets states opt out of participation. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle, editing by Todd Eastham)