N.C. House committee ready to challenge U.S. health care law

A challenge to the new federal care law was the first bill passed out of committee Thursday by the new Republican-controlled legislature.

The bill would block a provision in the year-old federal law that requires people to buy health insurance beginning in 2014 or pay a penalty.

The bill could go before the full House as early as next week. The speed at which Republicans pushed the bill through didn't sit well with some Democrats.

“You have the votes,” said Rep. Grier Martin, D-Wake. “Your car is going to reach its destination. There’s no need to drive 100 miles per hour to get there.”

Committee chairman Leo Daughtry, R-Johnston, denied a Democratic request for a public hearing on the bill.

Republicans said a similar measure was introduced last year and even though it wasn’t debated, there was an opportunity for members to read it.

“The present speaker has made it clear that this body is not going to sit around idly,” said Rep. Tim Moore, R-Cleveland. “We know what the people of this state want and we’re going to do it.”

GOP leaders will decided whether the bill moves to Appropriations committee or directly to the House floor, where it is expected to pass. The GOP-controlled Senate also is likely to pass it.

If it passes — and the governor doesn't veto it — North Carolina would join 26 other states challenging the law in federal court.