Opinions

GOP leaders try to go constitutional on Medicaid expansion; no sale

The big political news this week is that Republicans in the Alaska Legislature announced plans to spend at least $450,000 to sue the state of Alaska for accepting $150 million in federal Medicaid funds.

In a press conference, they took care not to say they also planned to kill jobs and deny health insurance to some Alaskans. No. They claim they're all about protecting the Alaska Constitution, don't you know? (And if you'll buy that, pilgrim, have I got a deal on a bridge, dam or high speed ferry for you!)

These ideologues will try to persuade a court to block the governor from expanding Medicaid. To get that injunction, they'll need to prove the people of Alaska will suffer "irreparable harm" if we accept federal dollars. I can't wait to hear that argument: a bunch of bumper-sticker-spouting legislators in bad suits (pantsuits for the ladies) -- with their own generous government-provided health care -- arguing that health care for 40,000 Alaskans, 4,000 private sector jobs and $150 million in federal funds will do irreparable harm to you and me.

How does an Alaskan, and the rest of us, hurt ourselves being able to both pay the rent and go to the doctor? Of course, we Alaskans will be paying for lawyers on both sides of the lawsuit. Sure, that makes sense -- to an idiot.

What other lawsuits might our legislative brain-trusters pursue? How about suing ourselves to compensate for the lives of those who die prematurely without access to Medicaid? The first section of the Alaska Constitution says "persons have a natural right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness …" We know that some people will die without the Medicaid expansion. Don't we need to protect that part of the constitution?

Article 1, Section 1 of the Alaska Constitution also says "all persons are equal and entitled to equal rights, opportunities, and protections under the law." Will the Legislature sue local governments to protect gays and lesbians who suffer discrimination in hiring or housing?

How about a lawsuit under Article 8, Section 2, which requires the state to develop our resources "for the maximum benefit of its people?" The Legislature could certainly sue itself for giving the oil industry $642 million more in tax credits than we receive in oil production taxes in 2015 and 2016.

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If it's about the constitution then let's have at it, or the 10 who voted to sue over Medicaid expansion should put on their Team Hypocrite jackets.

By choosing to expand Medicaid, Gov. Walker did the job legislative leaders failed to do. They didn't dare bring the governor's bill to expand Medicaid up for a vote. Why? Because the full Legislature would have passed it. Why are they acting afraid of democracy?

It's a head scratcher, but I have a theory.

See if this makes sense. First, there's no way the lightweights that constitute the Republican legislative leadership are the puppet master on this decision. They're the puppets, part of a larger wave of a sick ideology. Why? Maybe they're trying to undercut former Sen. Mark Begich from running for office again. If 40,000 more Alaskans have access to health care, they might consider returning to office the guy who cast the deciding vote for health care reform.

Nothing else makes sense to me. It's a bigger game in which preventing working people from getting health care is an acceptable result.

The 10 legislators responsible for this irresponsible lawsuit have several things in common. Their health care is covered by the state of Alaska and 90 percent of them are Republicans:

Mike Chenault, Craig Johnson, Charisse Millett, Mark Neuman, Steve Thompson, Anna MacKinnon, John Coghill, Charlie Huggins and Kevin Meyer. Bob Herron has a special shame-on-you. He should know better.

The one vote against suing ourselves came from Sam Kito, the only Democratic minority member on the committee.

Aldous Huxley once said, "One of the great attractions of patriotism is it fulfills our worst wishes. In the person of our nation we are able, vicariously, to bully and cheat. Bully and cheat, what's more, with a feeling that we are profoundly virtuous."

I predict these 10 will fail to undermine the governor's decision to keep his No. 1 campaign promise. No one paying the slightest attention to this discussion is falling for the "protect the constitution" excuse. It's nothing more complicated than 10 political hacks who choose to waste our money, time and opportunity.

Shannyn Moore is a radio broadcaster.

The views expressed here are the writer's own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, email commentary(at)alaskadispatch.com

Shannyn Moore

Shannyn Moore is a radio broadcaster. You can hear her show, "The Last Word," Monday through Friday 4-6 p.m. on KOAN 95.5 FM and 1080 AM and 1480 We Act Radio in Washington, D.C., and on Netroots Radio.The views expressed here are the writer's own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, e-mail commentary(at)alaskadispatch.com.

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