The Tolbert Report

Appearing on KARN’s radio show “Ask the Governor” this morning, Gov. Mike Beebe said that he had “big concerns” over the potential impact of the health care bill that is up for a vote in the House on Saturday. He went on to say that the bill could have $205 million negative impact on Arkansas general revenue.

I followed up with Beebe’s spokesman Matt DeCample who confirmed that Beebe was specifically discussing the impact to the state’s Medicaid funding. DeCample said that the governor’s office received these figures in the last 24 hours and has expressed his concern to the state’s Congressional delegation.

Currently, Rep. John Boozman and Rep. Mike Ross are expected to vote against the bill on the house floor tomorrow while Rep. Vic Snyder and Rep. Marion Berry are listed as undecided. It will be interesting to see if Gov. Beebe’s concerns have an impact on their vote.

UPDATE - A spokesman for Rep. Mike Ross tells the Tolbert Report, “Congressman Ross has discussed the legislation with Governor Beebe as it mandates additional costs to state governments, which would likely require state governments to raise taxes on working families. The Congressman is still reviewing the 2,000 page bill and will have a statement following the vote. ”

Also, Rep. John Boozman let me know that he is concerned as well and will be voting against the bill tomorrow.

“I’m pleased that Governor Beebe is taking a thorough look at the Pelosi Health Care bill and examining the issues he predicts could result for the state of Arkansas if this legislation passes,” said Boozman. ”Governor Beebe is right to be concerned about the implications of the health care bill. The cost is a staggering $1.2 trillion and to think that won’t impact Arkansas ’ budget is unrealistic. The increased price for greatly expanding Medicaid will be an unfunded mandate to Arkansas taxpayers.”

Boozman went on to say, “Also I think that many county and city governments will be out of compliance with providing enough coverage in regard to new mandates and be subject to significant increased costs passed to taxpayers.”

UPDATE II – Rep. Marion Berry’s office just released this statement to me.  It is not completely clearly from the statement but it appears Berry might be a no vote tomorrow.  Reading it for yourself and see what you think…

“I am proud that some of my priorities for health care are included in the legislation, including provisions to require pharmaceutical companies to negotiate with the federal government to provide lower prescription drugs costs for seniors.

“However, one of my biggest concerns with the bill is that it does not ensure that patients, especially Medicare beneficiaries, in rural areas continue to have access to the medical providers of their choice. Currently, doctors and specialists in rural areas are compensated by Medicare for their services at a rate far less than are their counterparts in urban areas. This unfair system is forcing our doctors to stop caring for Medicare patients or to leave rural areas completely.

“”In addition, I have concerns with the costs of the bill. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the bill will increase the federal budget to health care, does not bring down the increasing cost of health care, and is unsustainable over the long term.

“As we work to reform health care, I will continue to work to ensure that we find a solution that provides Americans with a more accessible, less expensive, higher-quality health care system that will not burden future generations with excessive debt.”

Tags: 2010 Candidates