Turning down free money

Gov. Jim Gibbons deserves credit for turning down "free money" from Washington intended to get the state to create a temporary, high-risk pool for uninsurable Nevadans.

"Jim Gibbons is once again proving whose side he is on, and it's not on the side of struggling Nevadans," said Jon Summers, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. "He is turning down $61 million that Sen. Reid helped secure for our state to help people who can't get insurance because of pre-existing conditions."

Well, yes he is. But, in fact, the $61 million likely wouldn't come close to funding a program that could attract 100,000 people. And when the money runs out, guess who's holding the bag to keep it all going? That's right, state taxpayers who are already struggling.

The money was offered as part of the recently enacted health care reforms. The law prohibits insurance companies from turning down coverage for those with pre-existing medical conditions -- but it doesn't go into effect until 2014. To cover the gap between now and then, the federal government wants states to either establish their own high-risk pools, get together with other states to spread the costs or defer the matter to Washington.

Gov. Gibbons chose the last course.

"We do not believe financial or human resources are available to manage the pool," the governor wrote. "There will be a significant problem managing the few who become eligible, but an even larger problem managing the frustration of people not eligible for the pool."

Gov. Gibbons has saved state taxpayers money by refusing the federal come-on.

Besides, why would Sen. Reid object to the governor's decision? The ultimate goal of those who rammed heath care reform down our throats is to create a single-payer, socialized system run by Washington. Gov. Gibbons has simply helped accelerate the process.