Rep. Earl Pomeroy D-ND, said he believes he did the right thing for North Dakota by voting yes for the House healthcare reform bill.

The bill, which could cost up to $1.2 trillion or more, passed the House in a 220-215 vote Saturday night.

Pomeroy told the Tribune editorial board Monday he believes most North Dakotans in the state think something needs to be done to control rising healthcare costs.

"It's eating us alive," he said of the higher insurance deductibles and co-pays that many people are facing.

Pomeroy said the bill, which now goes to the Senate, is far from perfect and still needs major work.

"This is clearly going to be an evolving process," he said.

Pomeroy had said earlier he would not support the bill but changed his mind after negotiating with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi over negotiated rates rather than a Medicare reimbursement rate.

He also said he doesn't think most North Dakotans would support a public option if the question was phrased that simply.

Pomeroy said one reason he voted in favor of the reform was to lessen the burden on those already insured who in the end pay higher premiums because of those who aren't insured.

He said one key component of the bill must include a mechanism to control healthcare costs.

Pomeroy also said the Senate must vote on the legislation before the first of the year to "keep the process moving."

He also said he's prepared to vote against the final bill if the Senate and conference committee don't improve it.