Republican senator: White House ready to give up on public option in health insurance overhaul

GOP senator: Public option on health care is dead

WASHINGTON — A Republican lawmaker says it’s clear to him that the White House is ready to abandon a government-run public health insurance option.

Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina says that President Barack Obama’s address to Congress this past week was combative and showed little sign of compromise.

Graham says Obama was on the defensive — especially on a public health insurance option that Graham says is off the table and has been for a while.

The senator was interviewed on “Fox News Sunday.”

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

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Republican lawmaker says it’s clear to him that the White House is ready to abandon a government-run public health insurance option.

Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina says that President Barack Obama’s address to Congress this past week was combative and showed little sign of compromise.

Graham says Obama was on the defensive — especially on a public health insurance option that Graham says is off the table and has been for a while.