Health Care Reforms Should Lower Costs, Increase Access

Republican Legislation Will Accomplish Both Goals

Raleigh, N.C. – As the debate over health care reform continues at the national level, state level proposals introduced by North Carolina Senate Republicans in the just completed legislative session continue to be ignored.  One proposal, if adopted, would help lower the cost of health insurance, increase market competition and result in greater access to health insurance for North Carolinians.

During this year’s session of the General Assembly, Senate Republican Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) introduced Senate Bill 725, “Out of State Insurance Policies, Allow Purchase” which would allow North Carolinians to buy health insurance policies that are offered and regulated in other states.  In many instances such policies can be purchased at lower premiums.  Under current law, North Carolina’s citizens are prohibited by law from purchasing such policies.  Democratic legislative leaders referred the bill to the Senate Commerce Committee where it was never considered.

Senator Phil Berger said, “Efforts to reform health care must accomplish two primary goals.  First, reform should be designed to help lower the cost of health insurance for consumers.  Second, there should be greater access to coverage.  Increased market competition for private health insurance will aid in accomplishing both goals.  There is no question that North Carolina’s consumers are able to make decisions better than the government on how to spend their own money.  By allowing citizens to choose from among policies offered in and regulated by other states, we can introduce additional competition in the insurance marketplace.  And we all know that increased competition has the benefit of reducing costs and improving service.  Democrats must abandon the failed policies that have resulted in few private companies offering health insurance in North Carolina and promote meaningful reforms for the benefit of the people of North Carolina.”

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