December 23, 2009 Jim Hoft
Senator Mike Johanns asked consent today to strike the special carve-outs from the Senate health care bill. Democrats immediately objected, thwarting the effort.
“There should be no special deals, no carve-outs for anyone in this health care bill; not for states, not for insurance companies, not for individual senators.
“All of the special deals should be removed. If the bill cannot pass without carve-outs, what further evidence is needed that it is bad policy? No senator should vote for the final cloture vote until all of the carve-outs and special deals are removed.
“Nebraskans don’t want a special deal, they want good policy. They don’t believe the Federal Government is the answer to every problem and they don’t like backroom deals.”
Below is a sample of special deals he offered to strike:
** Eliminating or reducing the Medicaid unfunded mandate on Nebraska, Vermont, and Massachusetts (starting on page 96, line 9) ** Exempting certain health insurance companies in Nebraska and Michigan from taxes and fees (starting on page 367, line 6) ** Providing automatic Medicare coverage for anyone living in Libby, Montana (starting on page 194 – section 10323) ** Earmarking $100 million for a “Health Care Facility” reportedly in Connecticut (starting on page 328) ** Giving special treatment to Hawaii’s Disproportionate Share Hospitals (starting on page 101, line 6) ** Boosting reimbursement rates for certain hospitals in Michigan and Connecticut (starting on page 174 – section 10317) ** Mandating special treatment for hospitals in “Frontier” States like Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Wyoming (starting on page 208 — Sec 10324)…Excerpt..Read More at
