Back in 1996, my brother was diagnosed with Wilson’s Disease, a rare genetic disorder that prevents his body from processing copper, an essential element found in foods like greens, whole grains, beans, nuts and shell fish. The symptoms of the disease are similar to lead poisoning. Left untreated, the disease is always fatal, usually from liver failure. Treatment requires lifelong monitoring and drugs to keep copper levels low.
Eight years later, in 2004, I was diagnosed with a form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma called Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia. Fortunately, I’m asymptomatic for the time being and may be for a lot longer. Still, I need to monitor the progress of the disease and will likely need treatment at some point or the disease will kill me.
A few years later, as my wife was transitioning between jobs, our health insurance briefly lapsed. She discovered she was pregnant during that period and her pregnancy was not covered. A somewhat complicated birth cost us more than $20,000.
So, when Republicans talk about allowing insurance companies to deny people coverage because of pre-existing conditions, I take it personally, especially when they blame problems on lifestyle. Today, the US House will vote to do just that. If the Senate concurs, people will die because of their decision. And that’s not speculation, that’s a fact.
The bill that the GOP will pass today has not been properly vetted or debated. The party that complained that nine months of debate in 2009 to pass Obamacare was too little, will pass a bill that hasn’t even been scored by the Congressional Budget Office. They don’t even know how much it will cost. Today’s vote is an exercise in putting politics over policy. The GOP wants to pass a repeal bill regardless of its merits.
The bill that passes today is opposed by the AARP, the American Medical Association, and virtually every group that actually provides health care to Americans. In addition, almost all patient advocacy groups oppose it, too, including the American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, and American Lung Association. In contrast, the House Freedom Caucus supports it. Whose side do you think Republicans are on?
To make matters worse, Congress exempted its members from losing their coverage due to pre-existing conditions. They and their families will be covered regardless. This bill is good for sitting members of Congress and insurance companies. It’s bad for the people who need health care coverage the most.
Republicans could fix Obamacare by stabilizing the individual insurance market, pressuring states to expand Medicaid, encouraging more young people to sign up and focusing more on reducing the cost of health care. That’s what providers, advocates and even insurance companies want. Instead, the GOP is listening to the House Freedom Caucus and the Tea Party.
This bill that will hurt millions of Americans and has little support outside of the ideologues driving the GOP agenda and the confused guy in the White House. The only consolation is that it may well cost Republicans their majority in Congress. As one conservative on twitter wrote: “I get sacrificing your majority for a major policy win (8 yrs out of power in the House for ObamaCare is a good trade). But this mish-mash?” That’s small comfort given the pain too many people will suffer.
Thomas Mills is the founder and publisher of PoliticsNC.com. Before beginning PoliticsNC, Thomas spent twenty years as a political and public affairs consultant. Learn more >
I’m in my 70s and healthy as a horse (although, like many of the horses I’ve seen, I could stand to lose some weight). However, if this abomination of a do-without-health-care bill does pass in the Senate, I’ll never be able to afford health insurance again: so if I contract a serious illness, I suppose I’ll have to choose between suicide and a lingering and no doubt painful death. I can only wish the same ending for Donald Trump: he looks a lot less healthy than I am, but of course the cost of medical care is irrelevant to him–at least if he’s as rich as he claims to be. If not, I believe government- funded health care is still available in Russia.
I do not understand where the GOP’s absolute cruelty and hatreds come from. It makes no sense.
This is a bill that was rushed through and was voted on the day after Comey’s damaging testimony. I don’t think healthcare was the purpose of this bill.
Unthinkable –the vote today.
As Mr Obama said, “Don’t boo.
Vote.”
We are already organizing at precinct levels. We have just begun to fight!
Thank you for sharing and for your hard work.
I can see your concern. It is why your previous post about litmus test are accurate. People who are concerned about what may happen have been put in this position because certain folks in the progressive movements want the party to take an all or nothing approach on every issue and if they dont get their way they wont to blow up the process and then blame everyone but themselves. I am not sure if the Senate will not vote it into law or not I just don’t know but I would not bet the ranch that they won’t. Also I have read that Justice Kennedy may soon step down, if he does then get ready for a court that most are not going to like either. This is the risk you take when you do what these progressives do what they do, and your your case the cost are very real.
Right on!
And yet this is what approximately half the people in this “great” country voted for. Sooo, what does that say about us?
The voter turnout was around 55% of our voting population. So really only 1/4 of our country voted for trump and just over 1/4 voted for Hillary leaving nearly half of our country standing like a deer in headlights just waiting to get mowed over ;(
As a voting adult that has voted on both sides of the aisle I can’t wrap my head around how even the 1/4 that did vote trump could have in good conscience #grabpussy can’t leave my mind…it’s a nightmare.
With great respect to all Americans even the trump voters . May peace be with you.
Agreed. Well put. Thanks.
Thank you for posting this. I wish you and your brother the best and I understand.
These changes will also impact directly and negatively on my loved ones and me. I could six close family members who will be hurt, and at least one will simply not have any coverage. Two have pre-exisiting conditions (one from birth) and one for past five years. All will have negative health impacts, in one case, potentially with tragic outcomes, and none can afford more health care expenses,
I can only hope that the Senate does not pass this piece of *!#%#*!*.