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CHICAGO, ILL. (AP) -- U.S. Sen. Roland Burris is insistent that health care reform legislation include a "strong" public option.

He says a government-run health insurance program would help drive down costs because it would compete with private insurers.

Burris says any provision that would let states opt out of the public option is not as strong.

Burris has a new relevancy in Washington because Democrats need every vote they can get to pass health care reform.

He was shunned in the Senate after being appointed by disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

The state's junior center says he is following the will of his constituents by demanding a public option.

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