From the NGA Winter Meeting in Washington-
Republican governors returning from meetings at the White House told us President Obama isn’t negotiating, but rather just trying to cajole them.
Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour (R) told us, “It felt like he wants us to come his way without making any concessions of his own.”
Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels (R) said it was a very cordial meeting but, “The first rule when you’re in a dead end is to stop, backup and find a better way, and I think we have to do that in American health care.”
One other Republican governor complained, “Just because we don’t agree with his ideas doesn’t make us partisan.”
Many of the governors say there are a few points of agreement and that’s where the negotiations should be centered.
White House officials point to an online list of Republican initiatives included in the president’s health care proposal, including:
Comprehensive Sanctions Database.
Registration and Background Checks of Billing Agencies and Individuals.
Expanded Access to the Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank.
Liability of Medicare Administrative Contractors for Claims Submitted by Excluded Providers.
Community Mental Health Centers.
Limiting Debt Discharge in Bankruptcies of Fraudulent Health Care Providers or Suppliers.
Use of Technology for Real-Time Data Review.
Illegal Distribution of a Medicare or Medicaid Beneficiary Identification or Billing Privileges.
Study of Universal Product Numbers Claims Forms for Selected Items and Services Under the Medicare Program.