WHO: Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn.
WHAT: A $100 million item for construction of a new university hospital was inserted in the Senate health care bill at the request of Dodd, chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, who faces a difficult re-election campaign.
HOW: Under the extremely detailed requirements of the item, hospitals at about a dozen state universities could compete for the funds. But Dodd’s office said he hopes to claim it for the University of Connecticut.
WHY IT’S A BAD IDEA: Dodd’s hospital provision is included in the 383-page package of changes to the Senate health care bill. It’s one of numerous items quietly directing money to programs or projects in various senators’ home states.
Daily OutrageOpinionOther OpinionSen. Christopher Dodd
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