Tester: public option' is optional

MATT GOURAS Associated Press Writer BUTTE

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester said that a so-called "public option" in the health care bill is optional for him and said he is not yet committed to backing the plan being put together by U.S. Sen. Max Baucus. Tester said Wednesday he could envision voting for a health care reform bill with or without the option that would let the uninsured buy into a Medicare type government program. "I don't need it either way," Tester told The Associated Press between meetings with constituents. "I could either support it or not support it. It's all in the design." Tester...