Repeal, But Give Us Some

Think Progress and The Wonk Roomare on top of issues once again that conservatives are wanting their inflamed base to ignore. Top of the pops this week is the fact that most of the states that have pending litigation against healthcare reform are accepting money that is granted to them by................wait for it................healthcare reform.

Yesterday, the Department of Health and Human Services announced that 45 states and the District of Columbia “will receive $1 million in grant funds to help improve the review of proposed health insurance premium increases, take action against insurers seeking unreasonable rate hikes, and ensure consumers receive value for their premium dollars.” The $46 million are part of the $250 million in rate review grant dollars authorized by the new health care law. Indeed, interest is so high that states that oppose the health law applied for grants. As the Wonk Room points out, 19 of the 22 states that are suing the federal government over the constitutionality of the health care law will receive $1 million each to improve their rate review capabilities.

I'm reminded of a comment that I saw on Twitter some months ago that stated how conservatives desire their social programs and their government intervention but never want to pay for them. This is also seen in how conservatives have viewed the Economic Stimulus - criticize it at every opportunity but cash in when you think no one is looking.