SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Rep. Jim Matheson, Utah's lone Democratic congressman, says he will vote against his party's sweeping health care overhaul package.
Matheson says he believes in universal health care, but thinks the House version will cost too much and reform too little.
He notes the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has concluded the House version would increase federal spending.
Instead, he favors a still-expansive, yet cheaper version created by the Senate Finance Committee.
Matheson opposes a government-created insurance plan meant to compete against private insurance companies.
He wants to replace the so-called "public option" with health care co-ops created in each state.
Utah's four Republican members of Congress remain opposed to the Democratic proposals.
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Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune, http://www.sltrib.com
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
