Pa. looking to contest Nebraska's break in federal health care bill

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett is looking into the constitutionality of a provision in a federal health care reform bill that lightens Nebraska’s funding burden.

Spokesman Kevin Harley said Thursday that Corbett and seven other Republican state attorneys general are discussing the matter.

The provision in question would require the federal government to pick up Nebraska’s full tab for an expansion of Medicaid, a health care program for the poor and disabled.

Corbett says all other states, including Pennsylvania, are required to pay those expenses, and it would be unfair for them to foot the cost of Nebraska’s Medicaid recipients.

The bill passed the U.S. Senate on Thursday morning.

Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson secured the special provision. He voted in favor of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.