Scott: Federal government special deals are morally wrong

In his latest report, Sen. Delbert Scott, R-Lowry City, joins the chorus of Republican state officials opposing actions being taken at the federal level:

This year the Missouri Senate has passed a measure declaring our objection to how the federal government is handling the current debate over health care. More specifically, Senate Concurrent Resolution 37 points out the special deal made by Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson that permanently exempts his state from bearing the costs of newly eligible Nebraska Medicaid enrollees under the U.S. Senate's version of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (HR 3590).

Commonly known as the "Nebraska Compromise," this deal would not require Nebraska to allocate substantial funds to accommodate the federal health care bill's new Medicaid provision. This exemption has not been offered to any of the other states, including Missouri.

In our Senate chamber, two quotes are etched in marble: "Nothing is politically right that is morally wrong," and "Free and fair discussion will ever be found the firmest friend of truth." Does Sen. Nelson's "compromise" sound fair or politically right to you?

We didn't this so either. That's why 28 Missouri senators agreed to pass this important resolution. The Nebraska Compromise further affects our nation's confidence in their elected officials — confidence which has already been shook with the continued conflict over how our federal government is debating health care.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 37 calls on Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster to join the 13 other state attorneys general in our country to challenge this special deal. We're asking our attorney general to review the constitutionality and legality of Sen. Nelson's compromise.

This measure has been passed by the Senate and is now in the House for similar consideration. To read the full resolution, please visit www.senate.mo.gov and type in SCR37 in the bill search field.