Nebraska gift needs returning
It's not my job as Colorado attorney general to immerse myself in the merits of the health care debate. But in an effort to secure 60 votes to pass a health-care overhaul, the U.S. Senate has crossed a line that should trouble Coloradans on both sides of the political divide.
The Senate bill, which must be reconciled with the House's take on reform, contains provisions that would dramatically expand Medicaid eligibility throughout the country and the amount various states must contribute to the expanded program. Colorado, for example, is likely to have to come up with an additional $1 billion over the next six years to fund the Medicaid expansion. To secure the 60th vote needed to pass a bill, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid inserted a provision in the bill that effectively exempts Nebraska from any additional burden and requires that the other 49 states absorb the cost of covering any new Nebraska Medicaid recipients. The bill thus acquired the support of Sen. Ben Nelson and, in the eyes of several state attorneys general, a significant legal problem.
John Suthers goes on to point out that the constitution and case law prohibits drastically different taxation by state. While he isn't weighing into the health care debate, he states that it should be mandated -- no matter which side of the issue you are on -- that the so-called "Nebraska Compromise" be stripped from the bill.
Ben Nelson stands to look like quite the stooge when this is all said and done.
