He missed the perfect opportunity to explain why this woman did not have to lose coverage. After all, she “did have a wonderful, high-paying job, owns her own home, and was a real, contributing member of society. She lost her job. Just a couple of weeks ago, she found out that she has tumors . . .”
I suggest that a better answer doesn’t rely on the frayed safety net that we have today, but goes something like this: “Actually, I’m sorry to say that your relative never had health insurance. Her employer had health insurance, and reduced her pay by about $9,000 to pay for it. That’s because the federal tax code gives your employer monopoly-control over your health dollars. Our reform would increase her pay and allow her to buy health insurance that she’d never lose, and would never exclude coverage for a pre-existing condition, because the insurance would be her property.”
Well, maybe it wouldn’t work: Mr. Cantor had been elected repeatedly, and I never have, so he must know what he’s doing. But few Republican politicians are comfortable in their skins talking about health care. (One impressive exception is Arizona State Rep. Nancy Barto.)
I should say that the same is not true of their written communications, which are becoming increasingly well-tuned. The House Republican Conference, chaired by Rep. Mike Pence, puts out regular “One Page” memos, edited by staffer Christopher Jacobs, that are outstanding.
Nothing contained in this blog is to be construed as necessarily reflecting the views of the Pacific Research Institute or as an attempt to thwart or aid the passage of any legislation.
Cantor Misses an Opportunity on Health Reform
John R. Graham
He missed the perfect opportunity to explain why this woman did not have to lose coverage. After all, she “did have a wonderful, high-paying job, owns her own home, and was a real, contributing member of society. She lost her job. Just a couple of weeks ago, she found out that she has tumors . . .”
I suggest that a better answer doesn’t rely on the frayed safety net that we have today, but goes something like this: “Actually, I’m sorry to say that your relative never had health insurance. Her employer had health insurance, and reduced her pay by about $9,000 to pay for it. That’s because the federal tax code gives your employer monopoly-control over your health dollars. Our reform would increase her pay and allow her to buy health insurance that she’d never lose, and would never exclude coverage for a pre-existing condition, because the insurance would be her property.”
Well, maybe it wouldn’t work: Mr. Cantor had been elected repeatedly, and I never have, so he must know what he’s doing. But few Republican politicians are comfortable in their skins talking about health care. (One impressive exception is Arizona State Rep. Nancy Barto.)
I should say that the same is not true of their written communications, which are becoming increasingly well-tuned. The House Republican Conference, chaired by Rep. Mike Pence, puts out regular “One Page” memos, edited by staffer Christopher Jacobs, that are outstanding.
Nothing contained in this blog is to be construed as necessarily reflecting the views of the Pacific Research Institute or as an attempt to thwart or aid the passage of any legislation.