Republican gubernatorial hopeful Nikki Haley and 1st District Congressional candidate Tim Scott vowed Thursday to do all they can to put an end to President Barack Obama’s health care reform..

“All we have to do is look at Canada and see what’s happened,” Haley said. “You can get diagnosed with an illness, and it will be months to a year and maybe longer until you get treated. We have to fight this.”

Haley said she would get a coalition of governors to suggest alternatives to Obama’s recent overhaul, which would fine citizens $700 or 2 percent of their income, whichever is greater, if they don’t sign up for a health care plan.

Haley also criticized her opponent, Democrat Vincent Sheheen who has expressed support for parts of the reform package.

Sheheen said Thursday that Haley is trying to change the subject from the questions that are being asked of her, such as her tardiness in paying taxes and her lucrative jobs with the Lexington Medical Center and Wilbur Smith Associates. “That’s why she tends to talk about national issues instead of what’s going on in South Carolina,” he said.

Sheheen said he feels strongly that the federal government shouldn’t place mandates on South Carolina, nor should there be any new burdens placed on small businesses at this time.

“I do think that making sure that children are allowed to be on their parent’s insurance policies even if they have pre-existing conditions is a good thing,” he said, referring to one aspect of Obama’s health care law.

Scott said the health care reform would lead to $1.2 trillion in new expenses — perhaps even up to $2 trillion, as well as $570 billion in new taxes.

“I cannot pay higher taxes and hire more people,” he said.

Scott and Haley appeared Thursday before a crowd of more than 100 Republicans at the party’s Lowcountry campaign headquarters in North Charleston.

By Robert Behre, “The Post and Courier”