South Carolina's U.S. senators urged state officials to take a stand against a new federal health care law, something they said would aid efforts to change the law.

During a conference call Wednesday, Sens. Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint, both Republican, said the law would cost the state an additional $914 million and might cause some doctors not to see patients covered through government programs.

But U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., disputed those concerns and said the law would guarantee needed health care coverage.

Graham urged legislators to "really get on the record and oppose this bill," adding that candidates should have to answer where they stand on the bill.

"This got to be a bill about saving Obama's presidency and not about health care reform."

DeMint also alluded to politics, saying state officials' support for repealing the law "does help us with the momentum this November and in 2012."

DeMint said expanding those covered by Medicaid could cause doctors to take on fewer Medicare patients. Medicaid is a state-run health insurance for low-income residents, while Medicare primarily covers seniors.

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