‘It's wrong,' Johanns says

WASHINGTON — Sen. Mike Johanns had strong criticism Saturday of provisions in the Senate compromise health care bill that would have the federal government picking up the tab for Nebraska's additional Medicaid expenses.

The provisions were added to gain Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson's support for the measure.

Johanns said he opposes such special deals, even if they benefit the state that he represents.

“It's wrong, and I can't support it,” the Nebraska Republican said.

He said his constituents have been appalled when he has described to them special deals granted to other states.

“I could not feel more strongly about my vote on this terrible, awful piece of legislation,” he said. “And it has only gotten worse today. This is the wrong course for our country. I find it personally heartbreaking ... to think that this is what it took to get the final vote necessary to carry this bill to the finish line.”

Nelson secured full federal funding for Nebraska to expand Medicaid coverage. Other states must pay a small portion of the additional cost.

Nelson said he simply told Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., that he shared Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman's concerns about the impact an underfunded federal Medicaid mandate would have on Nebraska.

An earlier analysis of the Senate bill completed by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services indicated that Nebraska would have $45 million in extra expenses after six years, or from fiscal year 2014 through fiscal year 2019. The state's total budget this year is $3.37 billion.

Nelson said that he suggested the bill include some sort of opt-out provision for states on the Medicaid expansion but that Reid opted to go with the Nebraska-specific approach.

“I didn't participate in finding the solution,” Nelson said. “I'm hopeful they find a way to help the other states as well.”

Contact the writer:

202-662-7270, joe.morton@owh.com

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