The need for a public option in the developing federal legislation appears to be the biggest disagreement among some major players in West Virginia's health care system.

A wide array of groups took part Tuesday in an evening forum focused on the various proposals now under debate in Congress. One that cleared the Senate Finance Committee earlier in the day does not include a public option.

Speakers from the state AFL-CIO and a ministerial alliance advocated a government coverage plan to compete with private insurers.

But the president of Mountain State Blue Cross-Blue Shield cited the existing cost strain from public programs. The head of the state Chamber of Commerce said employers want to see the private insurance market maintained.

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