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Sen. John Barrasso, (R-Wyo.), on the White House’s increased spending on health care ahead of the Supreme Court ruling on the law.
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She -- it moving on now -- our next story it's another example of government gone -- the Obama administration has doled out.
Almost four billion dollars over the past six months or so that is more than 22 million dollars a day.
Why is -- some say this smells an awful lot like the White House spending while it can in case the Supreme Court overturns the health care -- lot this week.
We turn now to senator John.
The Republican from Wyoming is also a surgeon and we get his take -- you so much for being -- senator.
Thank you Melissa thanks for having me what do you think is behind this -- spending.
Well I think you're absolutely right so far this year the administration has been putting lots of money out is part of the health care law and over the last three months just since the Supreme Court.
Oral arguments they've really stepped on the gas the administration hasn't spent twice as much in the last three months as they did in the first three months.
Of this year I think they're very worried that the Supreme Court may find the law unconstitutional.
We'll find out.
Thursday but they're trying to get money out and away that that I think it's very irresponsible I wanted and -- cosponsored legislation.
To stop all the spending on implementing the health care law.
Responses about a year ago to say look what until the Supreme Court decides.
Spending taxpayer dollar hands on something that may be unconstitutional.
And they would say that this money has been allocated so it's all fair and square I made a recent Wall Street Journal article doctor Steven Greer though says.
That his group was told men and their part of the vetting process for the center for Medicare Medicaid innovation.
They were told to assemble a team and grade.
And find twelve grants to ward out of 3000 they had two weeks to do it -- speak to go through 3000 grant.
And and pick people there it is right there that party article.
They said this is something that they would normally have months to deal but they were told you've got two weeks get -- -- we wanna get this money out the door.
So people are out there are sort of seeing the -- I guess my question is if the laws -- on Thursday will will we get this money back as taxpayers.
I don't see how we can get it back but it's another example of wasteful Washington spending.
Making these quick decisions getting money out the door and the other thing that they've been doing most of they've been spending taxpayer dollars.
-- one.
Publicity on a PR firm another twenty million dollars that went out for a private PR firm.
To publicize the health care law I -- it is taxpayer.
Dollars going for propaganda.
This health care law continues to be very unpopular.
The administration is paying.
With our taxpayer dollars to try to convince the American people that it's.
Better than it is but the American people have seen through this.
We know that this health care law is bad for patients it's bad for the nurses and doctors who take care of those patients and it's terrible.
For taxpayers and that's -- 72% of Americans want the Supreme Court.
To to overturn.
This health care law.
Senator let me ask you institutional -- twenty million dollars because I thought that was an interesting point the basement of his health care public direct relations campaign we've heard about this before.
What was -- what was the goal of the campaign and what cost twenty million dollars.
Well they took money from a section of the law having to do with prevention.
And are using it instead for propaganda did this try to.
Talk about what they perceive as benefits of the health care law only in terms of educating the public not in terms of how -- prevent disease and I'm a doctor right focus on preventing disease but they want to use the money and are using the money in their contract calls for using the money.
Actually promote the law rather than to promote prevention of disease so.
This this is all being done there's a lot of political.
Games being played by the administration and as you said.
They're spending more and more so much every day until the Supreme Court rules because they're worried that they may find that this health care law is unconstitutional.
And -- worried about the speed at which is money is flying out the door because you.
We understand according to the GAO that 48 billion dollars or stolen from taxpayers through Medicare and Medicaid fraud.
Every year already so it's it's a number that it's it's sort of ripe for fraud already said -- go through the process even more quickly than usual all do you think.
That it's more likely need our dollars are going towards brought -- are being used to good use.
Well we you know we talk about all the problems with -- waste and fraud and abuse you sure worry about the fraud here but clearly.
Waste and abuse as they rush this money out the door.
And this is money you know that the hard working taxpayers all across the country.
Sent to government but I think this is why Melissa so many Americans.
Just don't believe that they're getting value for their taxpayer dollars and why -- people are up the norms and why there's so many believe that the country is heading in the wrong direction.
Under President Obama.
I -- worry about the people involved in this and his secretary Sebelius awarded.
-- 128 billion dollars.
The 2219 -- -- it it it created jobs for more than 5600 doctors nurses dental providers.
I'm support staff all new jobs.
What's gonna happen to those people the laws overturned -- they immediately out of work.
Well this is one of the big concerns of the health care law and Nancy Pelosi said if you pass that there would be four million new jobs he said 400.
Thousand almost immediately.
But what the Congressional Budget Office looked at this said no over time actually this is gonna cost jobs -- 800000.
Jobs and we have eight point 2% unemployment in this country so many people out of work -- re describing almost sounds like kind of the failed stimulus program.
Put out some money hire some people temporarily and then the money gets.
But senator isn't as it brings great question you know is it temporary these people that were hired on this money.
You know that was connected to the health care plan -- they -- you know it it health care is overturn those people that were hired.
Do we get that money back are they right out of work -- do you know about the logistics.
No I think this that even the secretary of health and human services doesn't know about -- just -- -- to be focused on is getting the money out the door.
Before the Supreme Court rules on Thursday.
Senator we appreciate your time thank you for joining us this evening thanks thanks for having Melissa thank you --
