Sen. Durbin: ‘Shouldn’t Our Health Insurance Be Good Enough for the Rest of America?’

During the afternoon session at Thursday’s health care summit, Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin called out his GOP colleagues who have been quick to invoke the specter of “socialism” in reference to health care reform legislation, suggesting that they drop the quality health plans they enjoy as members of Congress if they are so opposed to the notion of government-funded health care. “Shouldn’t our health insurance be good enough for the rest of America?” Durbin asked.

On Wednesday, the Illinois senator told NPR’s “Morning Edition” that Democrats may well be prepared to push health care legislation through by playing the budget reconciliation card. –KA

“The Two-Way” on NPR.org:

“Democrats no longer have the 60 votes they need to break a filibuster in the Senate, but they could avoid a filibuster using a process called ‘budget reconciliation,’ which requires only 51 votes. Durbin said Democrats are ‘preparing’ to do just that — a process that would have to start with Democratic leaders in the House.

“I asked how definite Durbin was about going forward this way; after all, Republicans have said it would be an outrage, and even moderate Democrats have qualms, though some have begun leaning in favor. ‘I hope it doesn’t come to that,’ he said.

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