Chief of staff Jack Lew on Medicaid [View all]
This was back during the debt ceiling debate.
"There are a few good behind-the-scenes accounts published today on how Sundays deal came together, but Politicos report included an interesting tidbit on this.
Progress was made, but the atmosphere was tense as the hours slipped toward the deadline. By Saturday night, discussions over the trigger had bogged down, and a call between McConnells staff and senior White House aides turned heated when GOP negotiators demanded that Medicaid be added to the mix of programs that could face cuts.
Gene Sperling, chairman of Obamas National Economic Council, was in mid-sentence, trying to calmly explain why the White House wouldnt allow that, when Office of Management and Budget Director Jack Lew interrupted.
No! the typically mild-mannered Lew yelled. The answer is simply no! No, no!"
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_08/protecting_medicaid031260.php