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Burris says he'll only vote for health bill with public insurance option

By AP/St. Louis Public Radio

Washington – For Democrats determined to pass a health care bill, U.S. Sen. Roland Burris can no longer be ignored.

The Illinois Democrat said he'll only vote for a bill to provide health care to millions more Americans as long as it allows the government to sell insurance in competition with private insurers, and he said he will not compromise.

That's caught the attention of the same Democratic leaders who tried to keep Burris out of the Senate after he was appointed by former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

But Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus said in the end, the need for health care reform will trump other concerns people might have.

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