SOUTH BEND (WTHR) - Senator Joe Donnelly (D - IN) said Monday he will oppose any efforts by a new administration to privatize Medicare.

In a statement released on You Tube, Donnelly reiterated his previous opposition to similar efforts, but left the door open for dialog, "If my colleagues have pragmatic ideas that strengthen Medicare, reduce the costs of care, crack down on waste, fraud and abuse, count me in, but if they want to phase out Medicare, or privatize the system, count me out.”

Donnelly says 1.1-million Hoosiers use Medicare.

House Budget Committee Chairman Tom Price (R-Ga.) indicated GOP leadership would attempt an overhaul of Medicare within months after Donald Trump takes office.