Healthcare reform has a long way to go. There is no agreement between the House and Senate about how to pay for it. There are serious questions about affordability and the burden a mandate to purchase insurance will impose on middle-class families. Polls show Americans worry about this very matter, with majorities convinced an overhaul will raise prices or taxes and not improve care. But read this ABC News report about the public option suddenly finding a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate — it is big news.

And yes, you will find in my column and the ABC News piece the same tired cliche about the public option coming back from the dead. It was lame but fitting.

CAN A PUBLIC OPTION PASS THE CONGRESS? SHOULD IT? Ask A.B. returns Tuesday, Oct. 27. Please join my weekly video Q&A by sending your questions and comments to askab@thehill.com. Thank you.