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.