Former Council Democrats push through partisan resolution praising Obamacare

May 10, 2010

Summary

Report says it will cost King County between $18 and $34 million

Story

Despite the looming $60 million 2011 budget shortfall, the Metropolitan King County Council today pushed through a partisan resolution praising the recently passed federal health care bill. According to a non-partisan staff report prepared for the Council, the new health care legislation could cost the county between $18 and $34 million. The resolution passed by a narrow 5-4 vote. Councilmembers Larry Phillips, Bob Ferguson, Julia Patterson, Larry Gossett and Jan Drago voted in favor. Councilmembers Jane Hague, Kathy Lambert, Reagan Dunn, and Pete Von Reichbauer voted “no.”

“The fact that this resolution passed in light of our financial situation, is just plain irresponsible,” said Council Vice Chair Jane Hague. “I’m a firm believer in government acting as a protector for our society’s most vulnerable. However, the new health care bill is bloated, sloppy government at its worst.”

“I am concerned that the Health Care legislation recently passed by Congress is not fiscally sound,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert. “The health care services begin several years after the new taxes start, so it funds about six years of service over the first decade of tax collection. Also, the bill does not address the federal reimbursement rate for Medicare, known as the ‘doctor fix.’ This piece was moved to a separate piece of legislation so the tens of billions in cost for the doctor fix would not be part of the Congressional health care bill, which makes it look more affordable than it really is.“

Motion 2010-0221 also takes a brazen political shot at a former colleague, Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna, and praises Governor Christine Gregoire. Councilmember Lambert proposed three amendments that would have, among other things, eliminated that language. Amendment #3 pointed to the fact that the Gregoire would have to hire outside lawyers to oppose the Attorney General’s lawsuit which could cost state taxpayers millions. Another amendment highlighted the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s hefty price tag. The bill is expected to increase the already ballooning national debt by a trillion dollars. All five proposed amendments were rejected by a 5-4 vote.

The County’s budget problems are so severe that County Executive Dow Constantine has proposed putting an increased sales tax on the August ballot. In addition, today’s health care resolution appears to contradict the recently passed “Priorities for 2010.” Prominently named in the priorities is “financial stewardship.” The stated goal is: “Exercise sound financial management in adopting a balanced budget that reflects the values of King County residents and building the county’s fiscal strength.”

“I voted for the adoption of the ‘2010 Priorities,’ along with all my other colleagues,” said Councilmember Hague. “Supporting the health care bill, with all of its potentially crippling costs to King County, is not consistent with our stated goal of financial stewardship.”