Anti-healthcare congressman asks, where's my healthcare??

[^_^ 5,021]

A conservative Maryland physician elected to Congress on an anti-Obamacare platform surprised fellow freshmen at a Monday orientation session by demanding to know why his government-subsidized health care plan from the government takes a month to kick in.

Republican Andy Harris, an anesthesiologist who defeated freshman Democrat Frank Kratovil on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, reacted incredulously when informed that federal law mandated that his government-subsidized health care policy would take effect on Feb. 1 – 28 days after his Jan. 3rd swearing-in.

“He stood up and asked the two ladies who were answering questions why it had to take so long, what he would do without 28 days of health care,” said a congressional staffer who saw the exchange. The benefits session, held behind closed doors, drew about 250 freshman members, staffers and family members to the Capitol Visitors Center auditorium late Monday morning,”.

“Harris then asked if he could purchase insurance from the government to cover the gap,” added the aide, who was struck by the similarity to Harris’s request and the public option he denounced as a gateway to socialized medicine.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1110/45181.html

[scandal 951]

I would vote for him. At least I know he'll always take a clear stand on the issues.

[Ban Hammer 13,474]

i'd say he asked an honest question. why does it take 28 days to kick in?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Anyone surprised here? It's really the same as the GOPers that opposed the stimulus bill to then tout the projects and jobs in their districts that the bill funded.

[Sgt. McGee 27]

Anyone surprised here? It's really the same as the GOPers that opposed the stimulus bill to then tout the projects and jobs in their districts that the bill funded.

So you don't want health care from your employer?

This isn't some dude sitting at home, you know. He will be (starting on the day he's sworn in) employed by the government.

[sly_wolf 199]

So you don't want health care from your employer?

This isn't some dude sitting at home, you know. He will be (starting on the day he's sworn in) employed by the government.

Yep also doing nothing sitting on his #######. Whats the diff?

[Dan J 277]

So you don't want health care from your employer?

This isn't some dude sitting at home, you know. He will be (starting on the day he's sworn in) employed by the government.

Is he actually an employee?

[alienlovechild 75]

i'd say he asked an honest question. why does it take 28 days to kick in?

Hey Obama did promise we'd all get the same coverage members of Congress do? Maybe he mean we'd all get the same shaft? Just heard my healthcare plan is supposed to increase by 10% this year alone. Thanks Obama, I feel so much better knowing you've my back and my wallet to boot.

Still amazes how many Americans still don't know reducing costs was never in the heathcare reform but the master communicator didn't bother with that little detail for a good reason.

[scandal 951]

Thanks Obama, I feel so much better knowing you've my back and my wallet to boot.

He says: "You're welcome. Come again"

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Hey Obama did promise we'd all get the same coverage members of Congress do? Maybe he mean we'd all get the same shaft? Just heard my healthcare plan is supposed to increase by 10% this year alone. Thanks Obama, I feel so much better knowing you've my back and my wallet to boot.

Still amazes how many Americans still don't know reducing costs was never in the heathcare reform but the master communicator didn't bother with that little detail for a good reason.

1) Members of Congress will purchase their health insurance through the very same exchanges that will be available to the public at large. So, yes, you will have the same coverage available as members of Congress. The health care reform makes that so.

2) Your health care plan - as well as mine and everyone else's - has gone up double digits for years. Perhaps that happened in years past just due to mere anticipation of the coming law but that's a hard sell.

3) The health reform act actually established the IAPB which is tasked to reign in medicare costs. Will it be effective? Time will tell. Is it a promising approach to start controlling cost? It certainly looks that way.

Edited November 17, 2010 by Mr. Big Dog

[Sgt. McGee 27]

Is he actually an employee?

That's where his paycheck will come from, so yes. I don't even understand that question as a sarcastic tactic...

Edited November 17, 2010 by Sgt. McGee

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

That's where his paycheck will come from, so yes. I don't even understand that question as a sarcastic tactic...

The question remains how this upstanding American will be able to look at himself in the mirror every morning without hating himself for allowing himself to become a dependent of the oh so evil federal government he so vehemently opposes. Principles only go so far, I guess...

[Sgt. McGee 27]

The question remains how this upstanding American will be able to look at himself in the mirror every morning without hating himself for allowing himself to become a dependent of the oh so evil federal government he so vehemently opposes. Principles only go so far, I guess...

Ah, you mean not taking benefits from his lawful employer?

That's a lot different than expecting "something for nothing".

Do they make too much? Yes. Is it ridiculous that they get pensions like they do? Yes. Should those things be changed? Yes.

But to pretend that a guy should give up his employment-based health insurance because he doesn't think that the federal government should be providing health insurance to the entire country is a bit silly.