How typical is this?
Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC), the chief deputy majority whip in the House, told reporters Wednesday that a new proposal that would weaken protections for people with pre-existing conditions is "a bridge too far for our members."
McHenry, citing his own past medical history and that of his family, is now arguing against the weakening of certain Obamacare regulations, which he called "really important protections."
"I was once in the individual market, for a period of time in my 20s, and my family's medical history is really bad," he said. "So my understanding of the impact of insurance regulations is real. I believe I'm a conservative, but I remember the really bad practices in the insurance marketplace prior to the ACA passing."
The only way a Republican will support sane public policy is if it matters to them, personally. Don't think for a second that McHenry is soft on Obamacare repeal. No, he's been a reliable vote for Republicans on repeal for years, and who "boasts about having voted countless times over the years to repeal Obamacare."
He just doesn't want this little part of it repealed, the part that protects him and his family. Does it matter that at least 24 million people will be thrown off health insurance, many of whom also have "really bad" family medical history? Not to him, not as long as his own bad history won't keep him from getting insurance. Because, after all, he's a member of Congress—he'll always be able to afford it.