Gibbs: "The president believes...government plan is the best way to provide choice and competition."

Gibbs: No "Postal Service" for Health Care

President Still Favors Public Option as a Means of Creating Competition and Choice, the White House Press Secretary Said

(CBS) White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said on Face the Nation Sunday that President Obama is still in favor a government-sponsored health insurance plan -- but does not intend to replicate the beleaguered U.S. Postal Service.

The federal government would be able to successfully administer a health insurance option, Gibbs told CBS Anchor Harry Smith, even though the government-run Postal Service is facing serious financial problems.

"I don't think he was saying that what we were going to do is create the postal service for healthcare," Gibbs said. "The president believes this option of a government plan is the best way to provide choice and competition."

The president intends to build on the employer-based insurance market already in place, Gibbs said. He added, though, that the public option would drive down costs and provide more options particularly for people who currently have limited options.

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