McMaster to recruit other attorneys general to investigate health care deal

South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster said Tuesday that he intends to organize his counterparts in different states to investigate dealmaking that sealed a final compromise on federal health care legislation.

By News 2
Published: December 22, 2009

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McMaster was asked by South Carolina Senators Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint review how Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson was able to spare his state higher Medicaid costs as the Democrat held
out for perks for his state in the mammoth bill.

McMaster said the language of the Nelson provision appears to give the State of Nebraska a permanent exemption from paying the Medicaid expenses all other states in the nation will be required to pay.

"In other words, if this amendment stands, taxpayers from South Carolina and other states will be paying the bills for the increase in Nebraska's Medicaid population," said McMaster. The Nelson provision is unusual in that there is not cut off date or phase out. Many provisions in federal law have a sunset date -- say 2, 5, 10, or even 20 years-- but this provision will continue in perpetuity.

McMaster said that Attorney General Rob McKenna of Washington State has agreed to join the effort.

He also said he intended to consult other attorneys general to for a group that would explore legal options.

"In my judgment," said McMaster, "Democrats and Republicans alike from every state in the union should be outraged by this deal."