Senator to host fundraiser for Harry Reid in New Orleans

WASHINGTON -- The Louisiana senator who secured a $100 million bonus in Medicaid payments for her state in the proposed Senate health care bill will host a fundraiser for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid next month in New Orleans, the Times-Picayune is reporting this morning.

Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu's office told the paper the event was planned "several weeks ago."

Landrieu is one of three Democratic senators who have not yet committed to voting to advance Reid's health care bill during Saturday's pivotal vote.

A provision in the bill that Reid unveiled this week includes a $100 million bump in Medicaid payments for the hurricane-damaged state that goes beyond the 100 percent funding for Medicaid expansion Reid secured for Nevada and the other states.

Landrieu and political consultant James Carville will host the Dec. 12 brunch at a private home, the Times-Picayune reported.