Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) rates himself quite the health policy expert, since he's a gastroenterologist from his previous professional life. But having a profound knowledge of the human gut does not mean one can translate that knowledge to the guts of the American healthcare system. So when he takes to the op-ed pages as the authoritative voice on all things health policy, the first thing to keep in mind is that he's a Republican. So he's lying.
Particularly when he says "Here's the truth: everyone—Republicans and Democrats—support protecting people with pre-existing conditions." Also, pretty much everything else he says. Like how in 2009, Republicans had a "plan" that would "guarantee all Americans, regardless of pre-existing conditions or past illnesses, have access to affordable coverage." They did have stuff written down on paper consisting mostly of platitudes and tax cuts, but nothing approaching an actual plan. When the first drafts of the Affordable Care Act were presented, Cassidy writes, Republicans "laid out 'four important areas where we can agree.' The very first one was that 'All individuals should have access to coverage, regardless of pre-existing conditions.'" What he leaves out on that access bit is the "affordable" part. It's how Republicans have been paying lip-service to the idea of protecting people with pre-existing conditions all along. They insist they maintain that "access," but leave out the part of making it actually obtainable.
He goes on to say "I have introduced and supported other legislation to achieve that goal." But does his legislation really do that? He, along with Lindsey Graham and Dean Heller, cooked up the "just give them block grants" plan that was the last ditch effort in the Senate to repeal Obamacare. What did it do? "States would have broad flexibility to use the funds and ability to waive ACA insurance rules, such as prohibiting higher premiums for those with pre-existing conditions, to establish health coverage programs for their residents."
Yep, gave states the power to ignore the law protecting people with pre-existing conditions. Because of course it did. They're all Republicans! It also slashed Medicaid funding by $107 billion by 2026, just to prove how much they really care about people having health care.
The best part is this: "the only change to the status quo Democrats support is 'Medicare for all.' It may sound nice, but it's actually a plan to end Medicare as we know it." Okay, it's a lie, too because not all Democrats. But aside from that, damn, sign me up! It is a plan to end Medicare as we know it because as we know it, it's just for disabled people and retirees. And they love it!
Let's just take power away from these lying liars. Volunteer to Get Out the Vote: Just click here, enter your zip code, choose the event that works best for you, and RSVP to attend.
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