In response to the Senate Finance Committee’s approval of a healthcare reform bill, two of North Carolina’s elected officials have released statements in support of the motion.

N.C. Senator Kay Hagan said, “[Yesterday], the Finance Committee passed a health care reform bill that prevents insurance companies from turning you away due to a preexisting condition, removes annual and lifetime caps on coverage, and removes co-pays for preventive services.  It also expands coverage and ensures that if you like your insurance and your doctors, you keep them. These critical health care reform components were also included in the bill we passed in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

“The Finance bill will reduce our deficit, which has been a requirement of mine all along. Chairman Max Baucus worked hard throughout the process to incorporate Republican ideas and gained the support of Senator Olympia Snowe, a Republican from Maine on the committee.

“I am committed to working with my Senate colleagues on a final bill that slows down the skyrocketing cost of health care and prevents families from sinking into bankruptcy as a result of one medical emergency.”

Governor Bev Perdue, a fellow Democrat, also released a statement.

Governor Perdue said, “[Yesterday’s] vote [was] an important step toward much-needed health care reform.  Health care is the issue that got me into public service, and I look forward to working with our state's congressional delegation toward a solution that works for North Carolina's families.”