Omaha World-Herald: Johanns Unhappy With Health Bills

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Johanns Unhappy With Health Bills

by Greg Wees - Omaha World-Herald

.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.

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.

Johanns discounted estimates that 47 million people lack insurance, saying the figure includes those who refuse employer coverage, are high wage earners and non-citizens. The real number, he said, is closer to 12 million people.

But one man in the audience said he was among those not covered and dissented from Johanns' view. He asked how the senator would remedy the situation with legislation.

"We will take care of those people. I think they've waited long enough," Johanns replied.

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