Thursday, February 10, 2011

The New Republican Breed of Politicians and Health Insurance



Some interesting points about health care coverage in the Congress:
Ask any House Republican about repealing President Barack Obama’s health care law, and you’ll get the same fiery, self-assured talking points about tearing down what Speaker John Boehner has called a “monstrosity.”

But talk to some of the 16 freshman lawmakers who have declined their government health benefits, and you’ll hear a different side of the story — about tough out-of-pocket expenses, pre-existing conditions and support for health reforms that would help those who struggle with their coverage. As they venture into the free market for health insurance, these lawmakers — many of whom swept into office fueled by tea party anger over the health care law — are facing monthly premiums of $1,200 and fears of double-digit rate hikes.

The experience has caused some of them to think harder about the “replace” part of the “repeal and replace” mantra the GOP has adopted regarding the health care law.

“I have a niece who has pre-existing conditions, and I worry about her if she was ever to lose her job,” said Florida Rep. Richard Nugent, one of the freshman lawmakers who declined federal health insurance benefits.

Every single House Republican voted to repeal the health care law last month.

“I can simply, honestly say that this is going to impact my wife and I to a fairly serious degree, like it would any average American out there,” said first-time Rep. Joe Walsh of Illinois.
No, Rep. Walsh. You are not any average American. You are in the House of Representatives so stop pretending. The guy is a tea-partier, by the way.

All this smells of that old idea that politicking is easy-peasy! You just think about it over a mug of beer and presto! Let's get rid of that monster health care law! Freedom for all! And no health insurance for many.

Yes, I know that there are more important points to address here but the one that sticks in my craw is the idea that one really does not need to understand the pros and cons of all policies, that one can go on one's merry way until -- oops! -- one's own family is hurt by that way.

This is a common view. Just remember the idea of Bush as sorta an average guy, someone we could all have a beer with! I bet he didn't worry his pretty head over the complexities of running the world much.