Full List of Backroom Health Deals in
"Deem and Pass" Healthcare Bill

From Ryan Ellis on Friday, March 19, 2010 3:15 PM

(This content originally appeared on GOP.gov)

"These negotiations will be on C-Span, and so the public will be part of the conversation and we'll see the choices that are being made."

On Wednesday, March 17, 2010, House Majority Leader said that, "We're going to have a clean up or down vote on the Senate bill-that will be on the rule." According to Majority Leader, any Member who votes for the health care takeover rule will also be voting "straight up" for all of the bill's special deals.

Backroom Deals In the Democrats Health Care Takeover

Cornhusker Kickback: Perhaps the most well known in the Senate bill, the provision, included at the behest of Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE), ensures that Nebraska would be the only state to have the full amount of its increased Medicaid costs paid for by the federal government.

The Louisiana Purchase: The Senate bill provides extra Medicaid funding for any state in which every county has been declared a disaster area. Because of Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana is the only state that would qualify for the money. The $300 million provision for Louisiana was slipped in late in the process to persuade Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) to support the health care takeover.

Gator Aid: At the request of Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fl), the Senate bill includes a formula for protecting certain Medicare Advantage enrollees from billions in cuts. The formula would only apply to five states, most notably to Florida in which 800,000 of the state's one million Medicare Advantage users would be exempt from cuts.

New England Handouts: In addition to the $100 million included in federal Medicaid payments for Nebraska, the bill provides two New England states with even more money Medicaid funding. According to CBO, the Senate bill now contains about $600 million in extra Medicaid cash to Vermont, and about $500 million in additional money for Medicaid to Massachusetts, making these three states the only to receive such funding. Despite claims that these cushy extras for a few states would be scaled back, reports indicate that the White House is still making deals so these states can keep the handouts.

The Dodd Clinic: Section 10502(a) of the bill provides $100 million for construction at an unnamed "health care facility" affiliated with an academic health center at a public research university in a state with only one public academic medical and dental school. Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) later sent a press release saying that he was securing the money for the University of Connecticut, and then Dodd bragged that, "These provisions will bring millions of dollars to the state so that Connecticut's residents can receive quality, affordable health care."

Montana Medicare Earmark: A provision slipped into the Senate bill by Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-MT), Section 1881A(b)(2), specifically expands Medicare coverage for individuals who reside "in or around the geographic area subject to an emergency declaration made as of June 17, 2009." The area the bill refers to is an asbestos contaminated area near Libby, Montana, for which Sen. Max Baucus has been trying to secure funding for years.

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California Democrats, Dennis Cardoza and Jim Costa changed their votes from no to yes. Coincidently,just yesterday, The Dept.of Interior announced water would again flow to their districts after restricting water to the region and causing high unemployment. Retiring Tenn. Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.)congressman changed his vote from a no to a yes after being offered the job of NASA administrator.
>> Karen Friday, March 19, 2010 7:10 PM Report Comment

Some of these "sweeteners" are being slashed while most remain. No matter what the tortured outcome, this fundamentally flawed bill that takes our freedoms and puts our lives in the hands of a government that cares nothing for the will of the people -- needs to be scrapped.
>> Prudence Saturday, March 20, 2010 9:29 AM Report Comment

This reminds me of a great quote by Che Guevara “If you tremble indignation at every injustice then you are a comrade of mine.” Let us take back our Motherland
>> Potato Sacker Monday, March 22, 2010 6:35 AM Report Comment

There are but two choices if you don't like what has happened to the US of A. Life with it or seccede.
>> Rev. Bob Celeste Monday, March 22, 2010 3:06 PM Report Comment

There is another option besides living with it. Since they threw the constitution out the window, why should we pay taxes? There job is to uphold the constitution, they are not doing their jobs, hence, no pay. That is the only way to make a difference without a civil war.
>> Bay Area Patriot Wednesday, March 24, 2010 7:03 PM Report Comment

If every American who is thoroughly fed up with the push for government take-over would withhold their taxes it would severely cripple the government's funding. I also think that any new law MUST be adhered to by every politician as well as the average citizen. They should be required to retire on Social Security as is the average citizen. Their own mothers and fathers should be required to live by every circumstance forced on the average retired citizen. I say I am on the Endangered List because I am a senior citizen and if my health care is going to be dictated by the government, they might as well legalize euthanasia. God deliver us from Washington, DC!!
>> On the Endangered List Thursday, March 25, 2010 1:47 AM Report Comment

I just did not know that there were so many ways that Marxist-Socialism can be spray-painted different colors and be accepted as resolutions by the un-educated. I pray that God does not turn is back on our country and our children.
>> Voice of Truth and Logic Thursday, March 25, 2010 11:10 AM Report Comment

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Full List of Backroom Health Deals in "Deem and Pass" Healthcare Bill

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Full List of Backroom Health Deals in
"Deem and Pass" Healthcare Bill