NASHVILLE

What he says:

* Opposes government mandate of universal health-care program paid for with tax dollars; contends other candidates are making promises on health care they can't keep.

* Says health-care system is overloaded with people who don't need to be in it.

* Promises stronger leadership on health-care issues.

What he's done:

* Retired Air Force colonel who served as director of safety for the Air National Guard.

* Worked as a small businessman and ran a family farm.

RICHARD H. MOORE

KITTRELL

What he says:

* Ensure every child has health insurance by offering incentives for enrolling children. He says 180,000 of the state's uninsured children could get into the health plan now.

* Reduce costly medical errors by stopping Medicare reimbursements to hospitals for costs related to preventable medical errors.

* Reduce costs by focusing more on prevention programs.

What he's done:

* Served on N.C. Health Planning Commission, 1993-95; State Health Coordinating Committee, 1993-95.

* As a legislator, pushed for ways to protect people's insurance when they change jobs or get sick.

BEV PERDUE

NEW BERN

What she says:

* Expand health insurance programs for the poor and working class, with cost-sharing based on income.

* Provide tax incentives to small businesses that provide health insurance for workers.

* Reduce costs by improving preventive care; create a model preventive health plan for state workers.

* Wants to ensure universal health insurance for children.

What she's done:

* Helped create high-risk insurance pool for the sick and uninsured.

* As chairman of the Health and Wellness Trust Commission, led effort to reduce teen smoking.

* Worked as geriatrics health-care consultant.

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