FACT CHECK: Sweetheart Deals

 

The health care bill is full of “sweetheart” deals intended to win votes.

 

Who’s the latest to say it? 
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) just said on the House Floor that the reform bill includes “‘Louisiana purchase,’ the ‘cornhusker kickback,’ the ‘gator aid’ and the ‘Bismarck bank job.’” Rep. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) repeated this misleading statement, saying, “We're all aware of the special provisions or earmarks in the bill. The ‘cornhusker kickback,’ The ‘Louisiana Purchase,’ the ‘gator aid.’”

 
Here’s the Truth
This is simply not true. The fact is we have 50 states that face a variety of different challenges unique to each state.  These aren’t deals. What’s just plain wrong is Republicans characterizing additional Medicaid assistance available to families in Louisiana and other states recovering from major disasters as a “special deal.”

 

“Louisiana Purchase”: This provision is not specific to Louisiana, and simply prevents the unintended effect of states losing significant federal Medicaid funds when they are hit by a natural disaster.

 

“Cornhusker Kickback,” “Bismarck Bank Job” & “Gator Aid”: The improvements bill removes these provisions from final health care reform.