Melancon pressures Vitter on Medicaid funding

Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-La.) today compared Sen. David Vitter's (R-La.) ambivalence on the so-called “Louisiana purchase” Medicaid funding to a collapse of the New Orleans Saints offensive line.
 
“If he’s going to not stand up to Tom Coburn, then it would be like the Saints line just peeling away and lettin’ the defensive rushers go in and get Drew Brees. Just let ‘em have it,” Melancon said on a conference call with reporters.
 
Vitter has been under pressure from Democrats to come out against Coburn’s amendment that strips the $300 million set to help Louisiana cover Medicaid costs from the Senate’s healthcare legislation.
 
“If the senator from the state that’s affected will not stand up in front of the Senate and say, ‘I need your help, to help the people that I represent.’ That’s just wrong,” the three-term congressman said. “This man cannot stand up for what is good for Louisiana. He continues to just be negative and to find places to rail. Well, this time I think he’s taken the wrong issue, [which] proves that he is not there for the good of the people or the state of Louisiana.”
 
Melancon didn’t vote for the House healthcare bill. Asked if he would vote for a Senate version that contained the $300 million but no public option, he said, “We’re not talking about the bill, we’re talking about the amendment.”

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Vitter said it was “extremely offensive” that tax dollars are being used to “buy votes” for a “government takeover” of health care.

"The senator has been crystal clear about his intention to oppose this bill in its present form, but, he is holding off judgment specifically on the Coburn amendment until it comes forward for an actual vote,” said Vitter spokesman Joel DiGrado.

-Sean J. Miller