Hagedorn: We can’t keep saying no

NOTE: Some words in this commentary may be viewed as offensive to readers. Parental guidance is encouraged for anyone reading this column under the age of 55.

Sen. Marv Hagedorn may be expelled from the Republican Party for his use of the “M” word – as in, “Medicaid expansion.”

OK, that’s two words, but you get the drift. Medicaid expansion is tied to Obamacare, which in GOP land is the filthiest four-letter cuss word that anybody can ever use. OK, “Obamacare” is nine letters, but who’s counting? The terms, “Medicaid expansion” and “Obamacare” often cause severe stuttering among Republicans and are not to be used in festive gatherings – such as tree-lighting ceremonies and political cocktail parties.

Yet, here’s Hagedorn – who co-chaired a panel fishing for ways to solve the health coverage gap issue – talking about Medicaid expansion as a solution to the problem. That ought to get him crossed off from some Christmas card lists.

But, to Hagedorn’s credit, it was one of the few ideas – good or bad – that came from that lackluster working group/ Chuck Malloy , Idaho Politics Weekly. More here.