On Thursday, state senator, David Bradley (D), told a Tucson radio audience that Governor Brewer had a “well-inked” veto stamp and was poised to veto any and every bill until she got her way with Medicaid expansion. At the same time other democrat lawmakers were growing concerned over a proposed poison pill that could prevent them from supporting the Governor’s plan.
In her infinitive inability to gauge the long term consequences of her reactionary rhetoric, the Governor earlier this month attempted to sell Medicaid expansion as a right-to-life issue to conservatives, arguing that those who value life must value expansion and the care it provides to everyone (reductio ad absurdum).
Now Brewer’s proposition is at risk due to the fact that she may have to fund abortion providers under federal rules throwing her reductio ad absurdum argument out the window. Representative Seel (R), is leading the charge in arguing that a flaw in “Obamacare” could fund abortion providers and that those who support Medicaid expansion should not consider themselves pro-life.
Seel told the Yellow Sheet, “I am saying, and in no uncertain terms, that if you call yourself pro-life and you vote to expand Obamacare, you better check your credentials. I don’t think you’re pro-life.”
Representative Mesnard said the situation was becoming more and more complex. Mesnard told the Yellow Sheet, “I think that issue is now going to be tangled up in the larger debate. So now, you have Obamacare, you have taxes and you have the pro-life issue, all wrapped up into one.”
The Center for Arizona Policy is seeking to insert pro-life language into the Governor’s plan. Representative Debbie Lesko, said the language might cost the support of Democrats lawmakers on the other side of the aisle. “If it was in there, I think it would lose Democrat votes,” reported the Yellow Sheet.
Lesko’s assessment is accurate according to Capitol sources. Democrats will not be able to support expansion if it does not fund abortions.
Minority Leader, Chad Campbell told the Yellow Sheet, “As I’ve said from day one, the governor can’t just assume we’re going to vote for Medicaid regardless of anything she attaches to it or puts in some package she agrees [with] to get Republican votes. I hope the governor doesn’t do this.”
Brewer’s staff presented the language change to key lawmakers this week. The focus of the conversation was on whether the proposal would increase abortion funding and what changes lawmakers want to see to the language, according to the Yellow Sheet.