Al Neuharth: Health care deals enough to make you sick

Delmarva Media Group
Saturday, Dec 26th, 2009

If the Senate version of the health care bill becomes law, some of the political bargains made may make you feel sick. If so, you might want to move to Nebraska.

Senators from several states carved out special deals for folks back home. Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., got the most goodies because his was the critical last of 60 votes needed for Democrats to avoid a Republican filibuster.

When Medicaid enrollment increases by 15 million people or so, the cost generally will be shared by federal and state governments. But not in Nebraska. Nelson coerced the Senate leadership and the White House into agreeing that in his state, the federal government will pay for all new Medicaid enrollees forever.

Nelson is a good senator and a good person. As a native of neighboring South Dakota, I’ve known him and admired him for years.

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