Axelrod Says Public Option Is Alive

White House Senior Adviser David Axelrod arrives prior to a speech by U.S. President Barack Obama at the National Archives in this May 21, 2009 file photo in Washington, DC.

(Alex Wong/Getty Images)

The top adviser to President Barack Obama says the White House is "not willing to accept" that Congress will reject a government-run public option in the health care overhaul.

David Axelrod says such an option remains Obama's preference for setting up a system that would provide coverage for Americans who can't afford health insurance.

Despite opposition in Congress to the idea, Axelrod says he's not willing to accept that it won't be in what eventually emerges.

He spoke on CBS's "Face the Nation."

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