U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., says the final health care plan passed by Congress must address preexisting conditions and ensure young Americans can stay on their parents’ insurance.

Tillis made the statement in a tweet on Friday — one day after the U.S. House passed the American Health Care Act by a 217-213 count. The health care bill now heads to the Senate, where it’s expected to see a tougher road to passage.

For his part, Tillis said the Senate will make “major changes and improve the legislation.”

“I have long said that any replacement to Obamacare must address the millions of Americans with preexisting conditions and provide a way for younger Americans under 26 to stay on their family’s health insurance plans,” Tillis said on Twitter. “Ultimately, we need health care reform that will be an improvement over Obamacare, which has led to skyrocketing premiums and fewer choices for hardworking families in North Carolina and across the nation.”

Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., did not release a statement about the health care bill after its passage through the House on Thursday.

Both of Rowan County’s congressmen — Reps. Richard Hudson and Ted Budd — voted for the health care bill. The House vote occurred before the Congressional Budget Office could release its projections about the revised bill’s effect on health care in America.

Gov. Cooper opposed to GOP health care bill

Following the passage of the American Health Care Act, Gov. Roy Cooper urged North Carolina’s senators to fight for hard-working North Carolina families.

The health care bill, which passed the U.S. House by a 217-213 count on Thursday, now heads to the Senate.

Before its Senate consideration, Cooper issued a preemptive statement on Friday about the measure.

“Under the House Republican health care bill, 24 million Americans would lose their health coverage, costs for seniors would go up, and people with pre-existing conditions would no longer be protected,” Cooper said. “That’s wrong, and I strongly urge our state’s two U.S. Senators to stand up and fight for hard-working North Carolina families who just want to keep their health insurance.”

Hudson receives conservative award

Rep. Richard Hudson, R-Concord, received an award this week from a well-known conservative advocacy organization.

Hudson, who represents the 8th Congressional District, received the American Conservative Union’s Conservative Achievement Award for the fourth-consecutive year. Hudson has a lifetime rating of 91.71 from the American Conservative Union. In 2016, he received a rating of 96.

“I’m honored to accept this award for my work to defend our Constitution and uphold conservative principles that make our country strong,” Hudson said. “As one of the leading conservatives in Congress, I will continue to fight to preserve our freedoms, promote job creation, rein in Washington’s overreach and secure our nation.”

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.