Texas Patriot: Health Care Reform Alert‏ from Senator John Cornyn

Health Care Reform Alert: Reid Bill Includes Earmarks & Sweetheart Deals

Middle-of-the-Night Maneuver Violates Their Own Ethics Rule

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

   Senate Democrats broke new ground this week by slipping earmarks and sweetheart deals into the 2,700-page health care in the middle of the night. On Saturday, while Americans were busy wrapping presents or clearing snow from their driveways, Majority Leader Harry Reid released the newest version of his health care reform bill and forced a key procedural vote on the bill after midnight on Sunday.

   Sen. Reid’s new bill, cooked up behind closed doors without any Republican input, now includes special deals and earmarks for interest groups and Senators who were previously withholding their support. Thanks to these sweetheart deals, Texans will be left holding the bag when it comes to paying higher taxes under the bill.

A few of these sweetheart deals and earmarks were outlined yesterday by Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank:

· The Louisiana Purchase: $100 million in extra Medicaid money for the Bayou State.

· The Cornhusker Kickback: $100 million in extra Medicaid money for Nebraska.

· U Con: $100 million for a medical center in Connecticut.

· Gator Aid: A grandfather clause that would protect only senior citizens living in Florida from the deep cuts the bill imposes on Medicare Advantage.

· Handout Montana: Medicare coverage for anybody exposed to asbestos -- as long as they worked in a mine in Libby, Montana.

· Iowa Pork and Omaha Prime Cuts: Additional Medicare money for low-volume hospitals of the sort commonly found in Iowa, while Nebraska won a "carve out" provision that would reduce fees for Mutual of Omaha and other Nebraska insurers.

My staff and I have been investigating these maneuvers and have discovered that these sweetheart deals directly violate the ethics rules of the U.S. Senate. I raised this and demanded answers today on the Senate floor. Senate Rule #44 requires bill sponsors to publically disclose earmarks. Therefore, Sen. Reid should provide a list of the earmarks and who requested each one. Unfortunately, Sen. Reid has so far refused to do so. I raised a Point of Order on the Senate floor today about this violation of Senate rules.

   President Obama’s chief strategist and “agent of change,” David Axelrod, claimed that these sweetheart deals are "the way it will always be." So much for “change.” Maybe that’s the way it “will always be” in Chicago, but not in my state, and not in the heartland.

   This year for Christmas, Sen. Reid and Senate Democrats appear determined to give the American people higher taxes and increased health care premiums. It’s a shame the Obama Administration’s promises of increased transparency and lower costs for the consumer were collateral damage in their quest for a quick legislative victory before the New Year—and before the State of the Union address, so the President can move one step closer to a full government takeover of our health care system. I know I speak for the majority of Americans when I say we would much rather have coal under the tree this year.

I want to hear what you have to say about this debate and your thoughts on how to achieve real reform. Join the dialogue live now on my Facebook or Twitter pages, which I personally monitor and update throughout the day: www.facebook.com/Sen.JohnCornyn or http://twitter.com/JohnCornyn.

For more information on these and other topics, go directly to my Web site. I also welcome the opportunity to connect through Facebook, where I share updates, articles and videos related to my work in the Senate on a regular basis.To view floor speeches, interviews and other video messages from me, please visit my YouTube Channel. To receive additional updates, please select the issues that interest you listed on the right. It’s an honor to serve you in the United States Senate.

      Sincerely,