(RALEIGH) -- The General Assembly approved compromise on cost-cutting measures to North Carolina's state employee and teacher health insurance plan, and it is headed to Gov. Beverly Perdue's desk for her signature. Dana Cope of the State Employees Association of North Carolina said he is satisfied with the outcome.

"We're satisfied that we got the best compromise out of this bill that we could possibly get as state employees, but I've got to tell you that the governor seems to be taking a lot of credit for this and essentially it's the exact same bill that's been sitting on her desk that she hasn't signed for a couple of weeks now," said Cope.

The compromise keeps a premium-free option in place for active workers, public school teachers and retirees.  The governor has indicated that she will sign the measure.