Known as the public plan or public option, three House Committees and one Senate Committee have already said yes, but the question is still on the table in the Senate Finance Committee and remains one of the most contentious issues in the healthcare reform debate.

Cost estimates for healthcare reform range from $500 bill to over $1 trillion during the course of the next ten years. But so many versions of healthcare reform and so many amendments have been offered in the committees of jurisdiction that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) cannot keep their cost analyses up to date.

Click here for the most recent CBO cost estimates.

House negotiators are hoping to reach a consensus they can send to CBO for final estimates by next week. The Senate is not as optimistic.

While all four major proposals ban insurance companies from denying coverage to anyone for pre-existing conditions and eliminate lifetime caps -  how that would impact premiums, how to require everyone to have insurance, how to penalize those who don't especially those in low income brackets, and how to cover the cost  - are all issues still very much under debate.

Among the scores of less publicized amendments under consideration were two of particular importance to lung cancer patients and their families. Offered by Senator Kent Conrad and Senator Maria Cantwell, the two amendments would extend the cost-sharing assistance program under Medicare Part D which Lung Cancer Alliance strongly supported.

Lung Cancer Alliance will continue to monitor the legislation surrounding the health care reform debate. For more information visit our health care reform page.