Two Louisiana House members on the fence over health care legislation are saying that a public option for people dissatisfied or unable to get insurance through private markets isn't necessarily a make-or-break issue for them. Rep. Charlie Melancon, D-Napoleonville, said insertion of a public option is "problematic" for him, but stopped short of calling it a deal killer. Melancon said he prefers a "trigger," in which a public option would be offered only after certain conditions were met -- if private insurance rates continue to rise above the ability of people's ability to pay. Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao, R-New Orleans, said the public option isn't the major concern for him. He said he remains dissatisfied with language in House versions of the legislation that he doesn't think is strong enough to ensure that taxpayer money won't be used to finance abortions.
