Crossposted from FallinFAIL
So... Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin is taking money from the federal government - which she pledge to fight as Governor - for health care - which she opposes - while suing the federal government for "unfair federal mandates" put in place by the HCR bill that she voted against in Congress. No... seriously - this is a true story.
Ala NewsOK:
Oklahoma will accept a $54.6 million federal grant to develop the information technology infrastructure to operate a health exchange even though the state has filed a lawsuit challenging the federal government's health care law which authorized it, Gov. Mary Fallin said Friday.
Fallin decided to accept the money after she worked with state agencies to ensure no unworkable federal mandates were included, according to a statement from the governor's office.
"After thoroughly reviewing the early innovator grant, I am happy to say that the federal assistance we are being offered is consistent with our mission to design and implement an Oklahoma-based health insurance exchange," Fallin said.
Just a reminder about what Mary said July 2009:
Let me refresh you "Mr. Speaker... I can only see major tax increases on families and businesses..."
Oh what a difference an election makes. This is Mary today:
"That exchange will empower consumers and help individuals and small businesses to shop for and enroll in affordable, quality health insurance plans. This is a step in the right direction for Oklahoma and its citizens."
Oklahoma received notice earlier this month it was awarded the grant.
Exchanges are state-regulated plans in which small businesses and individuals are to pool money to buy health insurance.
The exchanges would offer the same kind of purchasing power that employees of big companies already benefit from.
NewsOK says that these "exchanges are a part of the federal health care law proposed by Democratic President Barack Obama and approved last year by a Democratic Congress."
Let me refresh you what Mary says about the new federal health care law proposed by Democratic President Barack Obama and approved last year by a Democratic Congress and against by then Rep. Mary Fallin. She makes it easy - it's right on her website
"Unfortunately, Washington appears headed in the wrong direction. The Obama administration's plan, specifically its inclusion of a public health care option, would be ripe with unintended consequences. . .
"Ultimately, the president's plan is going to give us less for more: reduced quality at a higher price."
And here's what her website says under "issues" and "health care"
"One thing we won't see, however, is socialized medicine. I've worked in Congress to fight "Obamacare" - an expensive, government-run health care plan that will deteriorate the quality of our medical services and I'll continue that fight as governor."
She's going to continue to fight that as governor by accepting a massive government grant.
One thing is for certain... she's consistent in her inconsistency. I was really starting to think I couldn't be surprised anymore...