Illinois Senator Dick Durbin told News 25's Mike Dimmick Thursday that he believes President Obama, in his address to Congress next week, will invite Republicans to join Democrats in putting together a healthcare reform bill.
"It would be best if it were bi-partisan. I hope they will join us. I think it will be a better work product. But (President Obama) also going to tell us we're going to have to roll up our sleeves and get down to work," said Durbin. "We need health insurance reform so people have health insurance they can count on. We need to do something about affordability, and we've to move to a point where more Americans have the peace of mind of health insurance coverage."
While Durbin did not believe President Obama will lay out a specific health reform plan, he did think it'll be more specific then it has been in the past. "I think he wants to draw us together based on what we've achieved so far, and tell us in the next several weeks 'let's get this job done."
Durbin was also not sure if the President would call for a government insurance option. "I'm not sure (about the public option). I've talked to the president about this. He's looking for a way to guarantee competitiveness and consumer choice when it comes to health insurance. Public option is one way. If there's another approach, I think he might be open to it.
Durbin reiterated his own openness to an alternative to the public option. "I just don't want to paint myself in a corner. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get this healthcare system in America moving int he right direction.
The full interview with Senator Durbin can be seen on "Newsmakers" Sunday, August 13th on WEEK.