I think it is a huge mistake, sir.

What leverage do we have in terms of forcing the States to pay their debts to the Federal Government?

The funding problem was not excessive benefit outlays that the States were responsible for, but the failure of taxes to bring the trust funds back to previous balances.

Do you think you would have lost any of them if you did not respond to that request?

If you have guaranteed issue, that is preexisting conditions are out of the way, you must have universal coverage.

So it is really preserving the private sector in the health care issue?

I think that must be because they think that there is some inherent value in it, that it is the right thing to do.

Was there anything besides staff morale involved in that decision?

They are going to have to change some state laws to actually make this rational.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to shift the questions just a little bit or the issues you have been dealing with here.

If they are doing it together, they cannot do it together. Is that what you are saying?