As the health care reform debate continued across the country, the Durham County Commission went on record Monday night in support of the Administration's Reform Principles.

"I felt it was important for this Board to weigh in on the healthcare reform matter," said Vice Chairman Ellen Reckhow. "We have a situation where we have over 50,000 people in our community who are uninsured and that puts tremendous pressure on our health department, our hospital emergency rooms in our community and on Lincoln Community Health Center."

Chairman Michael Page said in the resolution that 17.6 percent of Durham residents have stated that in the past they needed to see a doctor but could not because of the cost.

Page said several factors are "causing safety net providers in Durham to struggle to provide care to a population that has much lower rates of insurance than lower counties."

Currently, President Barack Obama is working with Congress to pass comprehensive health reform this year. The Board said that reform is meant to control rising health care costs, guarantee choice of doctor, and assure high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans. Congressional consideration of health care reform legislation is expected to move this summer.

"We are really still not meeting the needs of our population. It's a tremendous issue," said Reckhow. "I think it's affecting ... the economy as a whole."

Page said, altogether 26.6 percent, or more than 50,500 Durham adults, are uninsured.

"Any comprehensive reform proposal which seeks to craft a healthcare delivery system that leaves no one behind must be led by the federal government," he said.

The Commission unanimously approved sending the resolution to the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Convention.