Charlotte Leaders Divided Over Healthcare Reform

It's a vote the President called "historic."

Late Saturday night, the House of Representatives passed a health care reform bill, and Charlotte leaders are divided on the bill.

"We've been sitting on our heels for so long, and too many people have been suffering because of it ," said Bill Carter, chairman for the local chapter of MoveOn, a liberal group.

Carter said he opened an e-mail Sunday morning and immediately said “We won!” He said he bill will get healthcare to those who can't afford it.

Opponents took a different view. "I think that that attitude of 'we won' is part of the problem," Matthew Ridenhour said. "We need to be looking at things as 'what's best for our country.'"

Ridenhour is an organizer for Charlotte's Tea Party, a conservative group. He worries reform comes with too hefty of a price tag that some say could top one trillion dollars, and raise taxes.

"Every dollar the government spends comes from someone's pocket," he said. "Somebody is paying for it. If it's not you, it's me, and if it's not me it's our kids and grandkids."

Locally, Republican Sue Myrick voted against the bill, saying: "Instead of addressing the serious issues with our health care system, their bill simply assumes that the government knows better than the American people when it comes to their health care."

Democrat Mel Watt voted in favor, saying: "Passage of this bill begins the process of reforming our nation's health insurance system and ensuring access to affordable, quality health care for all Americans."

Democrat Larry Kissell was one of three state democrats to vote against the bill.

Now, the Senate will vote on its version of the bill. That vote may not come for weeks.