WASHINGTON — Republican Sen. David Vitter is putting his party ahead of his state by not opposing a proposal to strip millions in extra Medicaid money for Louisiana from a health care reform bill, the state's Democratic lawmakers said Wednesday.
"This man cannot stand up for what's good for Louisiana," Rep. Charlie Melancon, D-Napoleonville, who is running to unseat Vitter in next year's election, told reporters Wednesday.
The Senate is debating legislation to overhaul the nation's health care system. Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., a vocal opponent of spending that he considers wasteful, has proposed stripping the bill of up to $300 million in Medicaid aid set aside for Louisiana.
It's not clear whether Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada will bring up Coburn's proposal for a vote.
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http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20091210/NEWS01/912100310/1060