- Feb 22, 2007
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I wonder how many other deals have been made. I fail to see how anyone can keep a straight face and say this bill is a good idea. I guess Louisiana didn't hold out long enough, Nebraska and 5 other states are getting a free pass forever.
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2009/12/19/cornhusker-harvest-nebraska-gains-in-nelson-compromise/
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2009/12/19/cornhusker-harvest-nebraska-gains-in-nelson-compromise/
The state of Nebraska is going to do well under the compromise struck by Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson to ensure his support for health overhaul legislation. In the final deal-making, the senator won a commitment that the federal government would pick up Nebraskas share of the bills proposed expansion of Medicaid, the federal-state health program for the poor.
Senate aides suggested the change would cost less than $100 million, but it quickly drew criticism from Republicans.
Youve got to compliment Ben Nelson for playing, The Price Is Right, said Sen. Richard Burr (R., N.C.). For people in other states, he said, the language means youre going to pay taxes to make sure that Nebraskans dont have to pay any portion of the Medicaid expansion.
Mr. Burr called the deal the Nebraska windfall, a reference to the Louisiana Purchase that helped secure the vote of Louisiana Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu in an earlier Senate vote on health care. In that deal, a Medicaid-spending provision was added to help the hurricane-hit state.
Mr. Nelson had feared the bills proposed expansion of Medicaid would cause financial turmoil for his home state. After the changes, he suggested Saturday that his concerns were addressed. Im comfortable its taken care of, he said.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Mr. Nelson didnt get special treatment. I worked with every Democratic senator to make changes to the bill, Mr. Reid said. Ben Nelson was just like the rest of them.
The majority leader added, If you read the bill youll find a number of states are treated differently from other states. Thats what legislations all about: compromise.
Five other states, including Massachusetts, also won additional federal Medicaid assistance