"I have always depended on the kindness of strangers."
This line from Tennessee William's "A Streetcar named Desire" resonates with people because, of course, most of us would like to be able to rely on the kindness of strangers. Not only are families often unreliable, but some of us have none, especially in a country of immigrants, whose families were left behind in the old country.
At a hearing on the PPACA in North Charleston, South Carolina, any number of people averred that, despite the proposal to nullify the Affordable Care Act with a state statute, as outlined in HB 3101, they are inclined to be kind. In particular, William Hamilton, who posted about the hearing here as wjhamilton29464, made a particularly compelling presentation.
Because, at 94 minutes, Hamilton's video seemed rather inaccessible, I've edited it down to 24 minutes and given it a somewhat more specific title. Hamilton's title was too clever by half and, believe me, I know about that.
It should be noted that the nullifiers have overlooked one critical item -- the dollars they are talking about and claiming as the state's are actually OUR dollars and issued by the federal government, which therefor has every right to decide how they are used and when they are to be returned. What people don't understand about "give unto Caesar" is hard to figure.
The Charleston City Paper has done a goodsummary of the hearing, including Hamilton's presentation (the third citizen featured in the abbreviated video).
Pacing back and forth in front of the panel in a Confederate soldier's hat, an animated William Hamilton told the lawmakers he had penned a proposed counter law to the nullification bill that he calls the Healthy South Carolina Act. His version would expand Medicaid, allow the state to take part in healthcare exchanges, promote the fair collection of taxes and penalties under Obamacare, and instruct state officials to assist state residents with any benefits of the law.
Hamilton, a local lawyer who said his ancestors stood on Tennessee's Missionary Ridge in Confederate uniforms during the Civil War, pointed to a woman in the crowd named Loreen Myerson who works as a navigator for the Affordable Care Act. (Versions of the nullification bill would bar state officials from implementing Obamacare; navigators work for groups that have been given federal grants to help implement it.)
"Your employees won't help people get healthcare," Hamilton told the panel. "Your clinics won't, your governor won't, Lindsey Graham won't, Mark Sanford won't. Loreen will."
He said even if the website isn't working Myerson is.
"Sir," Hamilton said, gesturing toward Davis as he wrapped up his speech, "You don't have to do what I ask you to do in Columbia. You don't have to respect what I believe. This state can continue to embarrass me ... but I can promise you ... if you come after my friend and her navigators, I pledge this, sir, the blood that stood for the state of South Carolina on Missionary Ridge will fight again."
As I have mentioned before, local assets can be accessed by clicking the phone button on the main web page for healthcare.gov. This brings up phone numbers and addresses, once the zip code for an area is entered (e.g. 29464) brings up
sixteen results:
Healthy Connections
Sumter Family Health Center
Resource Corporation Of america And Recovery Of Texas, Llc
Jclewis Primary Health Care Center
etc.
Meanwhile, the Senator from South Carolina, Lindsey Graham, continues to provide fodder for the Daily Show.
Lindsey "released two" nominees he was holding in a virtual kidnapping.