Politico reports:
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will announce this afternoon that he plans to push ahead with a public option vote - most likely one that includes an opt-out provision for states - even though he's currently short several votes for passage, according to people close to the situation. The Nevada Democrat has 3:15 p.m. press conference to discuss details. Reid, who spoke with virtually every member of his 60-member caucus this weekend, currently has between 56 and 57 votes for a proposal to create a national insurance plan but allow states to opt out of it, according to Democratic aides. A public option with a "trigger" - supported by the White House and Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) - has between 58 and 59 backers. It could be floated as an alternative if the opt-out measure fails to obtain the 60 votes needed for cloture, sources said.
More at the link.