GOP Howls at Health Care Sweetheart Deals
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Posted: 8:32 PM Mar 19, 2010
GOP Howls at Health Care Sweetheart Deals
Republicans Focus on Perceived Special Deals in Health Care Legislation to Fan Flames of Opposition
Reporter: CBS
Email Address: news@wctv.tv
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(CBS) As Democrats drill down on the final undecideds, Republicans are drilling down on anything that smells like a special deal for that special someone. Republicans have likened it to a game show.

Today, Republicans found what they think is a goody aimed at fence-sitting Democrat Harry Teague (D-N.M.) who faces a hair-splitting re-election campaign. They say a physician-owned hospital in his district will get special benefits.

There's $100 million in Medicaid money for Tennessee. The office of Congressman Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.) says that has nothing to do with his announcement that he's switching to a "yes" vote.

And there are some suggestive sudden overtures on Capitol Hill: an increase in coveted federal water allotments in the districts of Congressmen Dennis Cardoza (D-Calif.) and Jim Costa (D-Calif.) were announced this week. Republicans say that usually happens later in the month.

And a bill sponsored by Cardoza and Costa that was languishing is now moving forward in the House. Costa, a fence-sitter, says any notion he's traded his vote is "completely false."

Remember those sweetheart deals stuffed in the Senate bill last December criticized by President Obama? Some of those are alive and well, reports CBS News Investigative Correspondent Sharyl Attkisson.

"Some of the sweetheart deals are still in this bill, like the Louisiana Purchase," says Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio).

The "Louisiana Purchase" is $300 million dished out to Louisiana just for Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu's yes vote. Other states can qualify too. There's $1 billion for New Jersey drug companies where Sen. Bob Menendez faces a tough reelection. His office told us other states can benefit from the same provision. He just happens to live in a state that will benefit a lot.

And Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut still gets $100 million for a local hospital. Democrats say the provision is not exclusive to Connecticut.

One thing that's out is the "Cornhusker Kickback." Nebraska didn't want to get tainted with getting special favors, $100 million in Medicaid funds. Instead, all states will get more.

Some things that look like a deal may be nothing more than coincidence, and there's often arm-twisting and deal-cutting on legislation, reports Attkisson. But this is arguably the most attention those backroom bargains have ever gotten.


Latest Comments

Posted by: Tired of Right-Wing Whackos Location: USA! on Mar 22, 2010 at 04:05 PM

Hey "WCTV viewer" - remember all the arm-twisting and blackmail the REPUBLICANS did to pass a $500 Billion benefit for the big drug companies? One that had no funding provisions? Remember all the bullying and arm-twisting they did to repeal civil-service protections for federal Homeland Security employees? The congressmen who supported Homeland Security but argued that DHS workers should have decent benefits were accused of being so-called "terrorist supporters!" And, yes, the Repub' leadership DID do stuff that changed people's lives and show blatant disregard for the people. Remember Dick Cheney? Somebody asked him about the stuff he was doing and his answer was "So?" Quit whining -- the Democrats may not succeed, but they're TRYING to clean up the mess that Golden Boy George Dummy Bush made of averything.
Posted by: WCTV Viewer Location: Georgia on Mar 21, 2010 at 12:14 PM

Anonymous 3/19/2010 @ 1103 PM: NO bill Republicans ever passed completely CHANGED the American way of life like this Healthcare bill presently. NO such BULLYING or THREATENING that is taking place now.NO Republican Speaker of the HOUSE EVER stated publicly that "this bill will be passed no matter what!" NO such BLATANT disregard FOR THE PEOPLE has ever been displayed. And if you think this is okay...then you are NO BETTER THAN THEY ARE!
Posted by: ccw Location: inyourface on Mar 20, 2010 at 05:59 PM

If the health care plan is so good why are the POLITIONS NOT ON IT?
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