Speaking of puzzling positions on government-supported health care, Governor Daugaard signed a letter to President Obama with 32 other GOP governors and govs-elect asking the feds to let states cut enrollment in Medicaid. Interestingly, the governors aren't trying to save Washington money; they want Uncle Sam not to cut their federal aid.
I know, the argument is that the money isn't enough. But if a bad economic situation is the wrong time to raise taxes (as Gov. Daugaard said in his big speech yesterday), isn't it also the wrong time to yank health coverage from the sick and poor?
Might we not serve South Dakotans better by asking Washington to up its share of Medicaid costs? How about instead of arguing for repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (which Gov. Daugaard also advocated in his Tuesday speech), we ask President Obama and Secretary Sebelius to speed up implementation so PPACA can start saving state budgets sooner?
Such a position would at least sound more palatable than saying, "Hey! Washington! Never mind that we want to serve fewer people. Keep sending that money!"