Hospital officials say a commission has an additional benefit: political and financial cover.

His statement may provide political cover for lawmakers to make the change, which would give less money to the elderly.

"I'm not going to provide political cover for what is a bad proposal," he said.

Whatever political cover the Bush people want, that's their business.

"Given the changed circumstances, a lot of people are looking for some political cover, quite frankly," she said.

But one thing it clearly does give him is political cover to say things other Democrats cringe from saying.

So why are you still giving these people political cover?

This year, legislators decided to create a commission to provide themselves political cover.

While the department could act itself, Congressional action provides political cover and would be less subject to court challenge.

Legislative leaders do not like to leave their members without political cover on controversial decisions.