(Washington, DC) – US Representative Sue Myrick (NC-09) has released the following in reaction to the special deals currently in the House Reconciliation Bill.

“These are just a few of the “sweetener” deals that are likely to remain in either the Senate bill or the “corrections” bill that will come before the House this weekend. No doubt there are more. Perhaps these were included so that undecided Members of Congress would be more likely to vote yes?  You decide. Unfortunately, Congress is playing “Let’s Make A Deal” with your money. All decisions are final. You can’t just choose what’s behind curtain number 2”.   

1.      “The Louisiana Purchase”

Section 2006 provides a “Special Adjustment” for states recovering from a major disaster.  Though the state is not named specifically, this provision appears to help only Louisiana – providing $300 million to the state Medicaid program.  As the request of Senator Mary Landrieu, this provision was inserted into the Senate bill shortly before it was brought to the floor for a vote.

2.       Special Funding For Local Connecticut Hospital

Section 10502 provides $100 million in funding for "a health care facility that provides research, inpatient tertiary care, or outpatient clinical services."  The AP has reported that the funding was inserted at the request of Chris Dodd and will likely go to a University of Connecticut hospital.

3.      Bank of North Dakota Bailout

Section 2213. Agreements with State-Owned Banks. This section amends Part D of Title IV to direct the Secretary to enter into an agreement with an eligible lender for the purpose of providing Federal loan insurance on student loans made by state-owned banks.

Note: The Senator who requested this provision has since asked that it be removed.

4.       Cornhusker Kickback, Part Deux

Remember when Democratic leadership claimed that the Cornhusker kickback—a special Medicaid deal for Nebraska—was removed from the healthcare package? It was—but now EVERY state gets a similar deal. The federal government will pick up the tab for states that expand their Medicaid populations.

Sec. 1201. Federal funding for States. Strikes the provision for a permanent 100% federal matching rate for Nebraska for the Medicaid costs of newly eligible individuals. Provides federal Medicaid matching payments for the costs of services to newly eligible individuals at the following rates in all states except expansion states: 100% in 2014, 2015, and 2016; 95% in 2017; 94% in 2018; 93% in 2019; and 90% thereafter. In the case of expansion states, reduces the state share of the costs of covering non-pregnant childless adults by 50% in 2014, 60% in 2015, 70% in 2016, 80% in 2017, 90% in 2018. In 2019 and thereafter, expansion states would bear the same state share of the costs of covering non-pregnant childless adults as non-expansion states (e.g., 7% in 2019, 10% thereafter).

Cost: $48 billion MORE than the Senate-passed provision

5.      Water, Water Everywhere?

For years, California has experienced an artificial water shortage due to environmental lawsuits and liberals in Washington, DC, fundamentally changing the operation of water projects by diverting large amounts of fresh water.  The result has been a government-imposed drought that has cost jobs and harmed agriculture.

On March 17, 2010, the Department of Interior (DOI) announced that they were allowing new water supplies to flow through the Central Valley Project in California.  The news was not scheduled to be released for at least two weeks, but DOI explained that the early announcement came at the behest of two particular House Democrats.

6.      Longshoreman Exempt from Tax on Health Plans

The Senate health care bill imposes a new tax on employer-sponsored health plans.  Yet a special deal was reached for longshoremen.  Section 10901 of the Senate bill shields longshoremen from the full impact of the new tax.