Lincoln hints at support for public option

Greg Sargent flags an interesting op-ed that Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) wrote in today’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Lincoln, who has previously expressed doubts about a public option (opponents call it government-run healthcare) as part of healthcare reform, seems very open to the idea now:

Health care reform must build upon what works and improve inefficiencies. Individuals should be able to choose from a range of quality health insurance plans. Options should include private plans as well as a quality, affordable public plan or non-profit plan that can accomplish the same goals as those of a public plan. [emphasis added]

Of course, she hedges a bit by suggesting a non-profit, private sector plan could accomplish the same thing as a public plan. But either way, this seems to be good news for public plan proponents.

Liberal groups, by the way, have targeted Lincoln with ads attacking her reluctance to support a public option.