'This is Something That is Troubling and Something We Plan To Look At'

What "this" is most people call business as usual in Democrat circles. But nothing will happen because the race card will be whipped out before you can say corruption.

Gov. Paterson's administration awarded a $297 million federal contract without competitive bidding or public notice to GHI, the health-care provider whose parent company employs his wife, The Post has learned.

Legislative investigators are now looking into the huge, 3½-year contract that subsidizes insurance for uninsured individuals with pre-existing health problems -- part of President Obama's health-care reform act, state officials concede.

It could yield up to $30 million in "administrative costs" for Emblem Health, GHI's (Group Health Inc.'s) parent company.

"Selecting a company for which the governor's wife works without bidding or public notice raises serious disturbing questions," one of the Legislature's top Democrats told The Post.

"This is something that is troubling and something we plan to look at," the official continued.

Also disturbing, the official said, is that New York chose to have GHI administer the program when it could have joined at least 21 other states in having the federal government assume the responsibility.

First Lady Michelle Paterson is director of integrative wellness for the outfit.

Seems like First Ladies named Michelle always help get those sweetheart deals.