White House Breaks Open State Piggy Banks for Reform

Congressional wheeling and dealing has always been the way to get things done in D.C

. Symbolic back scratches, Filibuster IOUs, Bridges to Nowhere --- they all have their political roots in closed-door chats between Senators, usually just ahead of a major vote. The latest quid pro quo by Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson will fill his home states piggy bank with enough Medicaid money to fund his states portion of the estimated $35 billion cost of healthcare reform. Nelson had threatened to vote against the Senates healthcare reform bill due to his objections over proposed abortion funding in the bill. In return for his Yes, he hit the Medicaid jackpot. Once the deal came to light, Governors of other states quickly lined up in protest over what they perceived as preferential treatment. After all, state Medicaid budgets are considered sacred cows. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was first to cry foul over Nebraskas deal. Healthcare reform, which started as noble and needed legislation, has become a trough of bribes, deals and loopholes, he said during a press conference, where he urged the California congressional delegation to vote against the bill or fight for the same sweetheart deal that Senator Nelson of Nebraska got for the Cornhusker State. But therein lies the rub. Nelson made no apologies for the deal he struck. In fact, at a separate press conference held the same day as the Senate vote, he pretty much made fun of his fellow Senators for not having the same artful negotiating skill as he did during the pre-vote healthcare reform debate. A few days later, though, Nelson lost his Mojo. After suffering a collective earful from his Congressional peers over his remarks, Nelson denied that his vote wasnt bought, but he was instead, aggressively seeking an opt-out provision in the bill or a mandate for full Medicaid funding for all states. Trouble with his Olive Branch is its covered in thorns. If the federal government were to provide full funding for Medicaid, he knows very well theres not another piggy bank out there to pay for healthcare reform. Now a consortium of 13 Attorneys Generals are threatening to sue unless Nebraskas so-called Cornhusker Kick-Back is removed from the final bill. Another parade of Governors is also publicly questioning the constitutionality of mandating healthcare coverage for all United States citizens, including Tennessee Governor and former healthcare executive Phil Bredesen, Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons and others who represent states with significant budget deficits. The deal making is probably not over, considering that the Obama administration has promised key provisions will be rolled out to consumers before the end of 2010.

White House Breaks Open State Piggy Banks for Reform

By: Michael Brewer

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