Nelson Asks Reid to Drop Medicaid Break for Nebraska

[jefferson_dem]

Nelson Asks Reid to Drop Medicaid Break for Nebraska
Jan. 15, 2010, 2:09 p.m.
By David M. Drucker
Roll Call Staff

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) on Friday asked that a deal he secured for his state on Medicaid funding be removed from the health care reform bill, a move that follows weeks of unrelenting political blowback.

Nelson contends that a $100 million deal he extracted for Nebraska in December to pay the state’s cost of a proposed Medicaid expansion was misunderstood. He said it was intended to act as a placeholder to ensure that all states received similar treatment once negotiations to reconcile the House and Senate bills commenced.

But after weeks of criticism from Nebraskans and fellow Democratic Senators and a backlash that extended nationwide for a deal that came to be known as the “Cornhusker Kickback,” Nelson on Friday sent a letter to Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) asking him to strip the provision from the reform bill.

In his letter, Nelson asks that the Nebraska-only measure be replaced with one that would exempt all states from paying the cost of a proposed Medicaid expansion. However, his letter appears to make clear that regardless of whether that request is granted, he wants the provision affecting Nebraska removed.

Medicaid, a program that provides health coverage to the poor, is jointly funded by the federal government and the states.

Nelson’s letter reads as follows:

<SNIP>

http://www.rollcall.com/news/42309-1.html?type=printer_friendly

[NJmaverick]

1. This is excellent news

[jefferson_dem]

3. It is.

The politics of the "sweetheart deal" had become untenable. Not sure if it will help Nelson in NB but it helps "sell the bill" overall.

[roguevalley]

19. nice start. Now, let's remove him.

[napi21]

2. HMMMM, wonder who got to HIM? n/t

[xultar]

8. I'm LMFAO his repug friends left his dumb ass on the fuckin trash heap. LMFAO

[wildflower]

4. But isn't this punishing Medicaid recipients?

He's getting political blowback in Nebraska for lots of other reasons; I'm not sure why this one affects him so much.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. How about that? Even Nelson can read the writing on the wall...

Thank goodness.

[sandnsea]

6. Good

Maybe it would be better for all states to get the assistance, but otoh, states should kick in and help cover the medical bills of their citizens too.

This does go to show pressure from citizens can move these bastards though.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

7. That deal looked bad for everyone involved.

It made the Dems look like they had to bribe their own to vote for the bill, plus it was unfair to the other states.

Now I am wondering if Nelson did not back them into a corner with his letter and bind them into federally funding the Medicaid mandates for all the states? Ho ho, that would be SWEET! What he says really makes no sense - Why would they specify Nebraska if they didn't intend to mean only Nebraska? I heard that the constitutionality of the whole deal was going to be questioned over that clause the way it was written. You think they would have responded before now, "oh, no, that was just a placeholder." Right.

[thereismore]

9. But is he going to vote for it now? nt

[AlinPA]

16. That may be the big question.

[timeforpeace]

10. Too late. The bad PR effects of this have done their damage whether it's removed or not.

[Vinnie From Indy]

11. The NElson deal was perhaps one of the DUMBEST political moves in the last decade

Democrats would have been crucified and rightfully so in the next election if this provision was allowed to stand. The GOP hate machine would have relentlessly attacked Democrats and the American public would have responded. People do not take well to blackmail and bribery.

[firedupdem]

12. Saw him getting his ass reamed on the news here last night...

big dummies.

[AuntPatsy]

13. So your a dummie too, welcome to the club..

[jenmito]

14. Good! I guess he saw that it wasn't making him look too good. n/t

[TheKentuckian]

15. Just an excuse to cut our knees, probably

A set up for Lucy to snatch away the ball and/or to make sure the anti-trust stays or to keep state pools.

[freddie mertz]

17. Agreeing to the demands of this crook was a huge mistake by Reid and Obama.

It added to the glistening brown veneer of corruption that now covers the whole bill, in fecal matter.

The damage to Neson, Reid, and the party has yet to be fully measured.

[mstinamotorcity]

18. wheres Ben Nelson?

Paging Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska.That can't be him giving anything back.What about his repug friends they won't play with him anymore after this one.

[Egnever]

20. Sounds like he is now going to be a solid yes.

[JVS]

21. I hope Reid asks what concessions Nelson is prepared to make for such a favor.

I think Nelson had better start promoting the public option if he wants us to allow Nebraska to be treated just like everyone else and bring an end to this embarrassing situation.