Obama Stands By Belief A Public Option Is Viable

WASHINGTON_President Barack Obama is standing by his position that a public option for health insurance coverage should be considered as part of legislation to overhaul the health care system.

In an interview Thursday with Philadelphia-based radio talk show host Michael Smerconish, Obama said that "the press got excited and some folks on the left got a little excited" when the administration last weekend made statements indicating that a publicly-run health insurance option was just one of several alternatives.

Obama said, "What we've said is that there are a number of components to health care." The president also said, "I see nothing wrong with having public option as one choice" and said that no one should be "obligated to go into a public plan."

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) _ President Barack Obama is standing his position that a public option for health insurance coverage should be considered as part of legislation to overhaul the health care system.

In an interview Thursday with Philadelphia-based radio talk show host Michael Smerconish, Obama said that "the press got excited and some folks on the left got a little excited" when the administration last weekend made statements indicating that a publicly-run health insurance option was just one of several alternatives.

Obama said, "What we've said is that there are a number of components to health care." The president also said, "I see nothing wrong with having public option as one choice" and said that no one should be "obligated to go into a public plan."