They said it, not me

South Carolina Republicans have decided not to expand Medicaid in their state as provided under the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”.) By doing this, they are turning down $11 billion in federal funds and risk the creation of upwards of 44,000 jobs.

Why did they do this? According Republican state House Representative Kris Crawford, it’s because President Barack Obama is black.

You think I’m kidding but I’m not. At a “white coats day” at the statehouse in late January, the South Carolina Hospital Association (SCHA) invited the good Representative to talk to them about the potential of passing legislation that would allow South Carolina to opt in to the Medicaid expansion, something the SCHA strongly supports. This was, in part, what they heard:

Doctors from across the state gathered in Columbia today to collectively lobby legislators to expand Medicaid eligibility under the Affordable Care Act. White Coat Day was organized by the South Carolina Hospital Association and aimed to equip doctors to engage with their representatives and push for the state to accept federal money and expand the health program for lower income people. About 75 doctors from across the state attended a meeting at the Statehouse. Rep. Kris Crawford, a Republican from Florence and also an emergency room doctor, supports the expansion but expects the Republican caucus to vote as a block against the Medicaid expansion. “The politics are going to overwhelm the policy. It is good politics to oppose the black guy in the White House right now, especially for the Republican Party,” Crawford said. He encouraged the doctors to advocate the use of the budget to accomplish expansion of Medicaid, rather than passing additional laws.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. You read that and you’re thinking, “Well, Mr. Crawford seems like a decent sort. He actually supports the expansion of Medicaid in South Carolina and is simply reporting on the political challenges people like him face.” You might be right except that Mr. Crawford then proceeded to vote AGAINST H 3167 which failed to pass along party lines. Apparently Mr. Crawford is just another Republican without the courage of his convictions.

The doctors and hospitals certainly want it. Check out this awesome video the SCHA put out to encourage support for the expansion:

South Carolina Democrats are furious:

“Unfortunately Rep. Crawford made it clear that this was never about policy, and always about politics. And according to our Republican colleague, the President’s race was a factor. I thought those days were over. The people of South Carolina deserve so much better than this,” said Rep. James Smith (D-72). Amanda Loveday, Executive Director of the South Carolina Democratic Party, said, “Obviously Rep. Crawford let politics overwhelm policy and agreed with his own comment ‘it is good politics to oppose the black guy in the White House right now.’ This wasn’t about race; this was about 44,000 new jobs, over a billion dollars pumped into our economy and health insurance for 250,000 more South Carolinians.”

Crawford, of course, has now gone on the defensive saying he wants South Carolina to create its own system. Here’s what has to say about it: