(RALEIGH) -- The state Senate now considers a bill that would exempt North Carolinians from a federal provision in the health care reform law.  The state house approved the measure on Wednesday in a 66-50 vote.

House Majority Leader Rep. Paul Stam said the current law is a hazard for prospective employers. "People are afraid to hire because they do not know what the consequence of hiring full-time, permanent people will be," said Stam.

Democrats argued during the three-hour debate that scrapping the requirement to buy health insurance would continue the current problem of the insured paying the medical costs of the uninsured. "In this sausage factory I have this feeling that even if you like this bill there are some exclusions that should be in it that we're leaving out," said Rep. Jennifer Weiss.

The bill also would direct Attorney General Roy Cooper to join a multi-state lawsuit to challenge the federal law.