When they find themselves presented with real-life, on-the-ground stories of actual medical misery and desperation, Republicans have only one position to fall back on: The Public Option. Oh, they won't call it that, but that's what they mean.
Problem is, most of the "programs" Eric Cantor is talking about require thevictim patient to be destitute and/or bankrupt.
Own your own home...? Say goodbye to that residence before you'll see any free brain surgery.
Own a profitable business...? Not for long if you want Medical to pay for your chemo.
Have savings enough to put your kid through college...? Bring Junior home to help out with the bedpans if you want those charitable dialysis treatments.
Our health care system is F-U'd up, and when pressed on the matter, what does one of the top leaders of the congressional Republican caucus advise this poor woman to do...? Apply for a government program to treat the "indigent."
The bottom line is this: You should not need to be "indigent" to get help from your government.
Problem is, most of the "programs" Eric Cantor is talking about require the
Own your own home...? Say goodbye to that residence before you'll see any free brain surgery.
Own a profitable business...? Not for long if you want Medical to pay for your chemo.
Have savings enough to put your kid through college...? Bring Junior home to help out with the bedpans if you want those charitable dialysis treatments.
Our health care system is F-U'd up, and when pressed on the matter, what does one of the top leaders of the congressional Republican caucus advise this poor woman to do...? Apply for a government program to treat the "indigent."
The bottom line is this: You should not need to be "indigent" to get help from your government.
Two from Planet Money on this subject:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2009/09/podcast_father_of_the_public_o.html
http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2009/09/white_house_rising_cost_of_ins.html