By Stu Johnson
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkms/local-wkms-958117.mp3
Frankfort, KY – As the first week of the special legislative session on Medicaid draws to a close, it now appears lawmakers may spend another week in Frankfort. So far, they've failed to compromise on a method for balancing the Medicaid budget. Securing a middle ground has been tough in this year's highly political atmosphere.
There are the simple facts to consider. Kentucky's leaders have vastly different ideas on how to solve the Medicaid problem. A plan proposed by the governor relies on shifting millions of dollars from next year to this year, while the strategy supported by the Senate President cuts state spending, including cuts next year to education. Both sides have offered modified plans without success. Ron Crimm, who's a Republican Representative from Louisville says politics is always an issue.
"What don't we do or what do we do up here that politics isn't involved in I mean in one way or another politics raising its head," said Crimm.
Unlike Senate Republicans, Crimm opposes cuts in education, as does the entire house republican caucus. That could puts Crimm and other house GOP members at odds with state government's most powerful Republican Senate President David Williams. And this is an election year for Williams, who's a Republican candidate in this year's gubernatorial election.
With both sides drawing lines in the sand and seeking political victory, compromise becomes problematic. Louisville Representative Jim Wayne, who's a Democrat, says both parties want to find a way to compromise without losing face.
"It's important that a compromise does give a win to each side, not the total win that they came to table wanting, but some compromise would leave them with some victory," added Wayne.
If an agreement is not reached, Governor Beshear has said, beginning in April, health care providers could see the Medicaid payments they receive from the state cut by 30 to 35 percent.
In the end, a number of members in both houses don't think it will come to that. But, Bowling Green Representative Jody Richards, the Democrat, who toiled through many negotiations as house speaker, says such a worse case scenario is possible.
"Well there is a likelihood if we do not come to and agreement in this special session, then it's very likely and it's devastating," said Richards.
The leader of each house will have a big say over the outcome. House Speaker Greg Stumbo, who's not running for any office this year, argues Democrats want to fix the problem and do not seek a political victory.
"Well, I don't necessarily think it's that. I think it's the fact that there's a very strong opinion among a large majority of the members of the general assembly that the governor's approach is correct and should be followed," explained Stumbo.
On the other side of the state capitol, in the senate, President Williams re-emphasized Wednesday his position remains unchanged. He says the Republican plan has been modified. It cuts state spending now, but would restore some of that funding next year if the Governor successfully cuts the cost of Medicaid.
"We offering a road map to a responsible solution and compromise here that's what this is about and if you'll look at the eleven points, I believe they speak for themselves and reasonable people ought to be able to reach an agreement based upon these eleven principals," added Williams.
So, the negotiations and posturing goes on in Frankfort as lawmakers seek a compromise. When and how it happens, is anybody's guess.