WASHINGTON — The health-care bill passed Thursday by the Senate may not contain piles of extra cash for Arkansas, but Sens. Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor said people statewide will benefit from policies such as expanded access to health care, tax credits for small businesses, and long-term reduction of deficits.
“Those are all good things that we can say are great for Arkansans,” said Lincoln. “Arkansans are going to benefit from this policy.”
While Republicans have criticized the specific provisions benefiting a handful of states with Democratic senators, Lincoln and Pryor said their goal was legislation that would improve health care for all Americans.
“In terms of trying to carve out some special Ar-kansas piece, I really haven’t tried to do that,” Pryor said. “What I’ve been trying to do for Arkansas is for health care to be more accessible and more affordable.”
Lincoln agreed: “I didn’t come up here just to gamble and horse trade in terms of side deals, particularly on legislation like this.”
The Senate bill contains provisions specific to several states, including Nebraska, Louisiana, Florida, Connecticut, Vermont and Massachusetts.
At least seven senators secured special treatment for their constituents, according to The Associated Press. In several instances, they got increased Medicaid funds for their states.
That led the National Republican Senatorial Committee to issue a statement accusing those Democrats who did not cut deals, such as Lincoln, of “rubber-stamping a series of sweetheart deals for other states that will be paid for at the expense of Arkansas.”
Although both of Arkansas’ senators took the same position on the issue, the Republican news release mentions only Lincoln, who is upfor re-election next year.
Republicans have specifically targeted their rhetorical fire at the special treatment accorded to Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska, who was the 60th and final vote needed to overcome procedural obstacles. Under provisions of the Senate bill, his home state would receive federal funding to offset Medicaid expansion.
On the Senate floor this week, Republicans have lambasted the negotiations, especially those that brought Nelson on board.
Sen. Kit Bond of Missouri characterized the process as “Chicago politics and backroom deals.” Sen. Mike Enzi of Wyoming said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid “is buying votes with taxpayer money.’”
Lincoln said she was “disappointed taxpayers across the country are going to pay additional for Nebraska.” But she added that the “good things” in the bill “outweigh those circumstances.”
Throughout the week, Lincoln and Pryor have offered examples of how Arkansas would benefit from the Senate legislation.
They point to broad provisions, such as the health insurance exchange that would offer private insurance administered by the same agencythat oversees health plans for all federal workers, including members of Congress. They cite the tax credits designed to help make insurance more affordable for small businesses. And they note the effort to close the “doughnut hole” in Medicare prescription drug coverage.
Some of the specific benefits of the legislation provided by the senators and their staff members include:
481,000 Arkansas residents who do not currently have insurance, and 128,000 residents who have nongroup insurance, could get affordable coverage through the healthinsurance exchange.
323,000 residents could qualify for tax credits to help them purchase health coverage.
36,200 small businesses could be helped by a tax credit to make premiums more affordable.
In addition, the bill includes a provision by Lincoln to temporarily suspend Medicare payment cuts that would take effect under proposed regulatory changes, reducing federal funding to 250 hospitals across the country. They include hospitals in Mountain Home, Forrest City, Blytheville, Helena-West Helena, Jonesboro, Batesville, Paragould, and Harrison.
Front Section, Pages 1 on 12/25/2009