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Top
Stories Clean air bill
blows through the Senate By a vote of 43-5, the Senate passed and sent to the
House legislation mandating sharp reductions of emissions from
14 coal-fired power plants in North Carolina and allowing the
utilities to pass along to their customers an estimated $2.2
billion in costs for pollution control equipment. Supporters say such steps are
necessary to protect the public health and to shore up the
state’s travel and tourism industry, particularly
in the mountains where atmospheric haze is
becoming an issue. However, some are beginning to question
whether business and industry -- even government
agencies and schools -- can afford higher electric bills. Read
that story.
Easley's HMO reform bill
steamrolls Senate opponents Brushing aside objections by NCCBI and others that it will lead to
sharply higher premiums and cause some small companies to drop
health benefits for their employees, the state Senate voted unanimously
Wednesday to approve a cornerstone of Gov. Mike Easley’s
health care reform package. The
legislation allows a patient to sue their HMO in state court
for denying coverage. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North
Carolina supports the bill but a state association of HMOs
released a study saying the legislation could raise premiums
statewide by $459 million a year and cause 44,900 people to
lose their company-paid health insurance. Read
that story.
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