Nelson Caved to Bribery, Became Harry’s Vote #60

Until Friday night Democratic Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska claimed to be withholding his Yes vote on the Senate Health Care bill until it included language that would prohibit federal funding of abortion.

In the end the abortion language turned out to be several pages of tortured, incomprehensible language that does allow public funding of some, but maybe not all abortions.  Here is an excellent analysis if you’re interested in the details. Yet Nelson announced last night that he was satisfied and would vote for the bill.

Why?

Tucked into page 98 of Reid’s 383 page amendment is this paragraph:

Notwithstanding subsection (b) and paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection, the Federal medical assistance percentage otherwise determined under subsection (b) with respect to all or any portion of a fiscal year that begins on or after January 1, 2017, for the State of Nebraska, with respect to amounts expended for newly eligible individuals described in subclause (VIII) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i), shall be determined as provided for under subsection (y)(1)(A) (notwithstanding the period provided for in such paragraph).

Before you make yourself crazy we’ll translate:  This means Nebraska taxpayers will not have to come up with Millions of dollars to cover the state’s share of the cost of expanding Medicaid eligibility by tens of millions of people.  All the other states will be required to pay a portion of the cost.