Burr answers questions from readers and reporters at salisburypost.com More ...

"Burr said that reform also must be fiscally responsible. He said that Baucus has come up with a blueprint, rather than a piece of legislation, and that it would require $8 billion of taxpayer money up front, and overall, the co-op that his proposing would cost $900 billion, and the payment methods are sketchy." More ...

The need for health care reform is clear, but it is even more important that we get this right so that our children and grandchildren do not have to spend a lifetime correcting our mistakes.

I appreciate the Finance Committee chairman's commitment to working across the aisle on this important issue. Unfortunately, the proposal put forth today fails several crucial tests. In addition to increasing spending and raising taxes, it also cuts Medicare by nearly half a trillion dollars. It makes no sense to jeopardize health coverage for seniors to pay for health care reform. Further, this plan is not financially sustainable over the long-term. It is imperative that Congress listen to the concerns of their constituents and get it right, rather than focus on arbitrary timelines and rushed solutions.

"U.S. Sens. Richard Burr and Kay Hagan plan to meet today with top Navy and Marine Corps officials to talk about the decades-old controversy surrounding contaminated water at Camp Lejeune." More ...