Senator Mary Landrieu: Representing LA
Robert Goidel
Posted: 11.22.2009 / 3:19 PM PST
Say what you will about our elected representatives, the job of representation is not an easy one. Representatives who work constructively to solve problems become the targets of partisan invectives, while representatives who skillfully maneuver through the legislative process to benefit their states or districts are labeled as shady or corrupt. Politically, it is much easier to stake out safe positions and throw rocks from the sidelines.
So it is with Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu whose political maneuvering on health care reform has been derided by bloggers as the second Louisiana Purchase. Senator Landrieu, they would have you believe, sold her vote for between an estimated $100 and $300 million in a specially crafted provision that benefits only Louisiana.
Such charges miss an important piece of context. Landrieu’s skillful maneuvering achieved a political victory that Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and Louisiana Secretary of Department of Health and Hospitals had lobbied for but failed to achieve – adjusting the federal share of Medicaid dollars. At issue is the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) rate, the formula for calculating the state and federal share of Medicaid spending. It is based on per capita personal income which - in Louisiana - has been artificially inflated upward by Hurricane-related insurance payments and Road Home rebuilding dollars. The result is that the federal share of Medicaid spending in Louisiana was projected to decline from 67 to 63 percent, a significant drop that would have worsened an impending budgetary crisis.
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal - who continues to spend more time fundraising than governing - commented in April 2009 that: “Let there be no doubt – this faulty FMAP rate must be addressed immediately and I will continue to work tirelessly with our delegation to get Congress to act as quickly as possible. If this is not addressed soon – it will have a significant impact on the health care services we are able to provide for our most vulnerable populations. We cannot let that happen. This is not an option.”
Alan Levine, Louisiana’s Secretary of Health and Hospitals, commented on Landrieu’s successful maneuvering: “While I don’t support the bill, she is doing the best she can to help the state, and she should be applauded.”
Landrieu will likely benefit very little from her legislative work. Indeed, she will likely come under increased criticism from conservative bloggers and national Republicans as an example of corrupt Washington politics. Her state, however, will benefit a great deal. Perhaps ironically, the prime beneficiary may well be Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal as the challenge of balancing the state budget in 2011 just got between $100 - $300 million lighter.
The good news for Landrieu is that she is also unlikely to be hurt much by the move. Since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, she has proven to be the Louisiana’s most forceful and successful advocate. Achieving an adjustment in the FMAP rate is yet another example of where Landrieu has delivered for the state. But even if there were some negative fallout, Landrieu is not up for reelection again until 2014, can easily defend the decision as simply allowing a vote on health care reform, and can minimize any damage by voting against the final passage on the Senate floor.
For my money, this is representation at its finest.
