Gov. Beebe’s Office Says Senate Health Care Reform Could Impact State Budget by $100 Million (UPDATE)
Gov. Mike Beebe’s spokesman Matt DeCample tells the Tolbert Report this morning that their office still has concerns over the cost of the health care reform proposal. In November, Gov. Beebe expressed “big concerns” over the impact of the house version of the health care proposal which he estimated could be $205 million for the state of Arkansas.
DeCample this morning tells me that the numbers they are seeing for the Senate proposal is about half this amount, right around the $100 million mark. He says that the governor is keeping his eye on this but they realize that the final bill coming out of conference committee will be the one to watch.
Also this morning, Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who previously has supported health care reform, said on Good Morning America that he could not support the current proposal as it could have a $3 billion negative impact of his state budget in California.
I think this will be one to watch closely. Sen. Lincoln will have a difficult time voting to advance any health care bill that does not have the support of Gov. Beebe who continues to ride approval ratings around 43 points higher than her own.
UPDATE - DeCample let me know that these numbers were based on the Senate proposal as of last week and have not been updated based on compromise language currently being worked out. He said he will get me these updated numbers when they are available.
December 15th, 2009 at 10:17 am
I’m not a huge fan of Govenor Beebe. I’ve said it. However, he is spot on when it comes to the impact that the Health Care Reform Act will have on the state. If he can have any influence on either Senators from our great state, now would be the time for him to speak up. Especially if he has any hopes of running for the position in the future.
December 17th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
I do not want to see any health care bill passed that has been blessed by the corrupt politicians we have in our government. First, how can anybody vote on something they haven’t seen. That is insane. Our money is paying for this so called health care bill and yet we can’t see what is in it. I am praying that in next years elections, the people will show up at the polls in mobs and send a message to this corrupt and radical left administration.