Johanns (R-Ne) unhappy with health bills

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20090814/NEWS01/708149843

By GREG WEES
WORLD-HERALD NEWS SERVICE

NORFOLK, Neb. -- U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns didn't hold anything back in critiquing the health care initiative on the table in Congress -- much to the delight of those attending a town hall meeting Thursday in Norfolk.

"There is no health care bill out there today that I would vote for," Johanns said, prompting applause from the nearly 200 people gathered at Northeast Community College.

"The president would be well-served to listen to the American people, come back in September and call a timeout. . . Instead, we end up with this monstrosity," the Republican said of the 2-inch thick House bill he had with him.

One provision -- to add a new program under Medicaid, which is now funded 60 percent by the federal government and the rest by the states -- would place a $186 million financial burden on Nebraska alone, Johanns said a study shows.
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He labeled it "the mother of all unfunded mandates," again prompting applause.

While saying he didn't intend to scare people, the bill carries a price tag of $1.28 trillion, he said, and supporters are trying to find revenue to pay for it.

FULL story at link.

[Warpy]

1. He's a Republican

Who the hell cares what he thinks? Nobody in his rotten party is going to vote for health insurance reform, no matter how badly it's needed and how many concessions were made to please them.