RALEIGH, N.C.  – North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr says a new health care proposal offered in Congress “fails several crucial tests.”

The Republican lawmaker rejected the bill Wednesday despite Democratic concessions on a public insurance option. He said he opposed the measure because of increased spending, taxes and cuts to Medicare.

Burr had long opposed President Barack Obama’s plan to create a government insurance option to compete with private carriers. The latest Democratic plan released by Sen. Max Baucus does not include such a plan but instead a system of nonprofit member-owned cooperatives – something Burr had previously said he would consider.

North Carolina’s other senator, Democrat Kay Hagan, supports the bill. She released the following statement:

“Last week, I joined a group of other moderate Democrats who discussed with the President the importance of ensuring the health care reform package is fiscally responsible. I am pleased the Finance Committee produced a bill that does not increase our deficit.  The Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill will reduce our federal deficit by $49 billion over the next ten years. I also commend Chairman Max Baucus for working hard with our colleagues across the aisle to include Republican input in the bill.

“I am very supportive of the insurance market reforms in the Finance bill, which are similar to those that we passed in the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.  It prevents insurance companies from turning you away due to a preexisting condition, removes annual and lifetime caps on coverage, and removes co-pays for preventative services.

“The Finance Committee bill also includes a CO-OP model, one backstop option for providing insurance to those without employer-sponsored care. I would like to see a backstop option included in the final bill.

“While there are many details that still need to be worked out, we ultimately need health insurance reform that ensures people who like their insurance and doctors keep them, expands access to health insurance for those without it, and slows down the skyrocketing cost of health care.  I am committed to working with my Senate colleagues to ensure these critical components are included in the final bill.”