COLUMBIA, SC (WMBF) - U.S. Senators Jim DeMint and Lindsay Graham are hoping to turn the tables on health care in Washington, after requesting an investigation into special deals being made to secure votes for successful reform.
A letter addressed by the two South Carolina lawmakers was received by State Attorney General Henry McMaster Tuesday morning, detailing concerns over funding arrangements negotiated with Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska.
"The language of the Nelson provision appears to give Nebraska a permanent exemption from paying the Medicaid expenses all other states in the nation will be required to pay," McMaster said in a press release Tuesday afternoon.
McMaster says should the amendment stand, taxpayers in South Carolina and other states will foot the bills for the increase in Nebraska's Medicaid population. No cut-off date is stated in the provision, meaning Nebraska's benefits will continue in perpetuity.
The attorney general, in addition to Graham and DeMint, say the issue raises "serious concerns" about state equity, tax fairness and the constitutionality of having federal tax levies.
http://www.wmbfnews.com/Global/story.asp?S=11719311
