COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford is reaching across party lines to ask U.S. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn to find ways to shield the state from higher state Medicaid costs possible with new health care legislation.
Sanford told Clyburn in a letter Thursday that he still opposes the legislation. But the Republican governor wants the Democratic congressman to use his leadership influence to get a better deal for taxpayers in South Carolina and other states.
The Senate gave final approval to the health care bill Thursday and lawmakers will likely work out differences in a conference committee.
Both versions of the legislation depend on expanding Medicaid programs to bring health care to more people and expect states to cover up to 9 percent of those costs.
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