Kent Conrad: “some of these matters are technical matters. But we have rules in this body for a reason. This legislation has many…”

“some of these matters are technical matters. But we have rules in this body for a reason. This legislation has many violations of the rules. I have chosen a few to raise today. Why? Because, colleagues, we could be voting all day on my points of order against this bill. I have tried to reduce it to one vote to accommodate colleagues. I could be here raising 12 or 15 points of order and ask for a vote on every single one of them. I have not done that. Yes, some of these matters are technical, but they are because we have rules. I would say that the question of Medicaid liability is not a technicality. This is a question that allows hospitals to deny treatment to low-income individuals who are unable to pay. Not only is the majority raising copayments on low-income Medicaid beneficiaries, but they are shielding hospitals from medical liability if they refuse to treat those low-income people who are unable to pay. That is wrong. Let me just say, on the foster care matter, we have a difference with the Parliamentarian. I believe there is a violation. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator's time has expired.”