Sen. Roland Burris hedges on health care reform vote

Senator still supports public option but is wary of opt-out for states

November 3, 2009 - Appointed Democratic U.S. Sen. Roland Burris has gained some publicity on Capitol Hill for saying he won't vote for a health care reform bill that doesn't contain the so-called public option requiring private insurers to compete with a government-run plan.

But on Monday, Burris was less than specific following a health care speech at Stroger Hospital when asked by reporters if he would vote for a proposal allowing states to opt out of the public option if enough competition exists among private health insurers.

Burris said he does not favor a bill that allows states to opt out of the public option, but he hedged when asked if he would vote for it.

A bill with an opt-out provision for states "would not be as strong as I'd like," he said, before declining to definitively say whether he would vote against it.

Burris was then asked if he would support a bill with any type of opt-out provision. "If it has a strong public option in it, yes," he said. "But an opt-out program carries with it all types of nuances that would create a situation where I don't think you could get a strong public option with it."

With the White House and leading congressional Democrats counting every vote -- particularly in the Senate, where 60 votes are needed to rebuff a Republican filibuster -- Burris' declaration that he wouldn't support a bill without a public option gained the beleaguered senator some attention.

On Monday, however, Burris, who is not running to keep the seat next year, said he's not seeking publicity.

"It's certainly going to be tough, in terms of getting this done," he told WGN-TV. "I've let it be known unequivocally that I would not support any legislation -- now they may get the 60 votes to pass it. I'm not going to be an obstructionist. I'm not here for some ego trip. I'm here to speak out for the people who have spoken to me."

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