Editorial: Time's now for Berger to deliver on Medicaid special session
Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020 -- Senate GOP Leader Phil Berger heaped praise on his legislation for teacher pay and derisions on Democrats who opposed it. Berger's incomplete portrayal of the issue sought, falsely, to portray his opponents as against increasing teacher pay. The reality is that the governor vetoed the legislation is because he wants teachers to get a LARGER pay raise and local school systems to get MORE money for school construction. Cooper and the Democrats refuse to settle for the "scraps" that Berger tosses. They are demanding better.
Posted — UpdatedThere was a lot spinning Tuesday in the universe that revolves around North Carolina’s General Assembly.
We found the performance of Berger particularly noteworthy – more for what he didn’t say than what he did.
Berger heaped praise on his legislation for teacher pay and derisions on Democrats who opposed it. Berger’s incomplete portrayal of the issue sought, falsely, to portray his opponents as against increasing teacher pay. "Senate Democrats have rejected every teacher pay offer we've proposed, and Governor Cooper has vetoed every teacher pay raise we've passed,” he said.
Teachers know it and that is why tens of thousands of classroom leaders have been marching on the Legislative Building in Raleigh. The folks who teach our kids math know when our schools are being short-changed.
Well, a budget is in place. It is Medicaid free.
Cooper should take Berger at his word. He and Berger should call a special legislative session on expanding Medicaid. Have an open and robust debate.
Berger says that no members of his Senate GOP caucus are looking for any action on Medicaid expansion. “The votes do not exist to pass. … It is a factual statement that it will not pass,” Berger proclaimed.
Bring Medicaid expansion to a vote in the Senate and House. Get those Republicans and Democrats to vote and stand behind their position. Senators will need to tell their constituents -- particularly those hard working voters who cannot qualify for the health coverage now, that they oppose allowing Medicaid expansion and why. We'll see if Berger is right.
Voters deserve to know, need to know, now as they prepare to go to the polls in the March primary and the November election, where legislators stand.
Legislators who oppose Medicaid expansion shouldn’t be allowed to hide. They need to explain why they are out of step with the two-thirds of North Carolina voters who want Medicaid expanded now.
It will be the number one issue in the 2020 campaign.
November cannot come soon enough.
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