GOP Howls at Health Care Sweetheart Deals

(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.

A $1 billion research subsidy for drug companies will be greatly beneficial to the biotech industry, particularly in New Jersey, but Sen. Bob Menendez's office told us other states will be benefiting from the same provision.

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.


Editor's Note: An earlier transcript alluded to Sen. Menendez's reelection; his term actually expires in 2012.

[notinsured]

the dying poor dems. vs. the greddy rich republicians,thats what this really comes down to !

[notinsured]

Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) is a rich greedy *******,lets remove him and his big mouth from office asap !!!!!!!

[KeithDrippingSprings]

Why would any of the Thieves and Scoundrels in Congress howl about sweetheart deals. They lost their ability to govern long ago. Sweetheart deals are the only way anything get done in Washington.

It is time to vote out every incumbent in Washington. Every congressman and Senator in Washington has to raise from 2 to 3 thousand dollars per day to defend their seat in the next election. Any one who can do that has no idea how it is to live on 30 to 40 thousand dollars per day. We need representation that wants to do the right thing because it is right, not because of party affiliation or sweetheart deals.

[crusaderg54]

I agree 100%. It's discouraging and sickening to see these arrogant people behave like children who are all waiting their turn to stick their hand in the candy jar. They are too entitled and we need some fresh blood, honest blood, if there is any left in this world.

[thomasxstewa]

ThomasStewart1 wrote:
Break One, Goal. Next: Hon Obama esq Promised Administrive Order DOES NOT TAKE EFFECT UNTILL 2014. By Then Whole New Ball CLUB For LEGISLATIVE GAME.

Bishops & Priests Beg Populate To NOT PASS Abortion Bill. What I proposed IS STILL EXACT SAME ABORTION TAINTED BILL. NO CHANGES IN WORDING, ONLY FAR OFF PROMISES, Weak Promises ,at that.

Cut Losses & Vote NO. Give Hon Us Congress Fighting chance to Stay Course of membership or Worse, Simply Leave United States of America at Drift, No Way to Proceed nor Ratify for ?three lONG years,Never have Seen US Public So Inflamed, since 1970s'. Chaos Is Ensuing. Wake Up US Congress & Geta Life. Becasue US Congress Can't SEE Evil, Where Majority of States & US Citizens SEE Grim Reaper.

Quit Being Babies, Grow Up, Throw Out BAD Bill Like BAD Food, just happens Sometimes.

Cease & Desist ALL Legislative activity on 2010 HEALTH CARE INSURANCE BILL.

Signed:Hon Judge THOMAS STEWART von DRASHEK M.D

[CAPTDHA]

The Republicans have offered ideas on health care reform. If you all would bother to do a little research it is easy to find. The major press media just chooses not to print , post or broadcast it.

[CAPTDHA]

I am a health care professional. In 28 years I have never seen a single person turned away from receiving health care-never! Of course the cost of health care is rising. It is directly proportional to the new and highly technical procedures and treatments being developed. Geriatric patients are being treated more than ever before very aggressively with very high cost procedures. That is just the way it is.We need health care reform- but this bill is the wrong avenue and will lead to rationed heath care- make no mistake, We must allow insurance competition across state lines. We need to institute max awards on malpractice suits.

[educatedreform]

This is one of the saner comments here. Everyone doesn't have all the answers. Not the government, not the health care professionals, not the insurance companies. But if you can point out to the American people how to take as much care of their own health (and finances) and then rely on help as needed you have less intervention and more proactive responsibility. If the President were as concerned about representing Americans instead of getting his agenda passed, he would be effective. Now it is simply being force fed to us all.

[hildsctt]

I have been a hospital RN for many years as well but over the past few years I moved to a rural town and work in public health. There I did see many that could not get healthcare unless it was a "life or death situation". i.e. huge growth on someone's shoulder who has a serious history of cancer. He had to come up with several thousand "up front" before surgery could be done. A young man who broke his ankle could not get surgery unless he came up with $6000 up front. Yes, it is there. There are too many people who also don't try to get health insurance and then expect "someone" to provide services to them for free. I agree. Once you get into the hospital, you are given excellent care regardless of ability to pay. I never knew the other side. I also see many who declare "no income" and who work totally under the table. Unfortunately, these people will become eligible for medicaid and pay nothing, which is wrong. How to prevent this though, I don't know. Lastly, health care costs are up but some of the reason for this is due to the pathetic reimbursement from medicare and medicaid. The reimbursement hardly touches the cost of the most basic care and so to make up for that, all costs are inflated so that at least private insurances pay which helps to offset the federal programs lack of payment. Thanks

[lakota2012]

That's all the hypocritical republiCONS have today -- HOWLS and GRUNTS -- since they are still the party pushing MORE OF THE SAME with absolutely NO SOLUTIONS and NO NEW IDEAS.

[fedup12]

Where the heck was the GOP during the run up to war in Iraq? They weren't howling with disdain when Halliburton and Blackwater and the Defense Contractors were getting all those SWEET no bid deals.

We could have paid for this health care many times over with what we spent in Iraq. And look what we got there.

Please note that I am not for the health care bill I am just against Hypocrites.

[SueZeeeQue]

All the GOP does is howl and whine while offering NO solutions whatsoever.

Their only interest is protecting the profits of the big insurance and pharmaceutical companies that bankroll them.

[Jim1900]

Didn't the invasion of Iraq make Halliburton (among others) some money? Wasn't Cheney associated with them at one point? Someone will make money off of any government program. It just depends on what you want, health care or blowing things up.

[SueZeeeQue]

It made them billions along with many other companies with ties to the Bush administration.

The Iraq debacle was the single biggest fleecing of taxpayers in the history of the world.

Conservative estimates are 3 trillion by the time we leave Iraq, if we ever do.