Discourse.net: Rep. Grayson Attacks GOP "Health Plan"

September 30, 2009

Rep. Grayson Attacks GOP "Health Plan"

Alan Grayson on the GOP Health Care Plan: “Don't Get Sick! And if You Do Get Sick, Die Quickly!”'

Rep. Grayson's remarks have been attacked by many on the right as somehow akin to Joe Wilson's (false) “you lie” shoutout during President Obama's speech. In fact, while not particularly civil, they do capture the essence of the GOP (and far-right-Democratic) opposition to health care reform: it's fine to leave some Americans without health insurance, and if they get sick, it's mostly their problem. We'll do emergency room care for them, but nothing long-term, and certainly nothing preventative.

That said, Grayson's remarks can be called inaccurate in one respect — there really isn't a Republican health proposal on the table at all, just a bunch of bills each with a small number of sponsors, none endorsed by the Republican leadership.

To those who would attack Rep. Grayson for his unusually blunt talk, I would ask, “Do any of the leading Republican plans ensure basic health care for all Americans?” And, where were you when Republicans were using similarly hot rhetoric?

Grayson is certainly not backing down: “47,000 Americans die every year for lack of health insurance. And by the way, that's 20 or so since we started talking about it. That's over a hundred a day.”

Posted by Michael : September 30, 2009 05:20 PM | Health Care | TechnoLinks

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Comments

It's not all that inaccurate; Republican's and like-minded Democrats have focused more on costs than on the needs of citizens, or the net benefits of this or that plan.

From a Federal expenditures point of view, "If you get sick, die quickly" is the most cost-effective of them all.

In all, an effective use of 150 seconds.

Posted by: Patrick (G) at September 30, 2009 06:55 PM

The only I have to say is if I do get sick with no recovery in sight I would want to die quickly. I believe it would be a blessing. That is why some wish their enemies to die a slow painful death.

Posted by: Michele Antel at September 30, 2009 08:33 PM

Wait a sec. the Democrats have the White House, and a near filibuster proof majority in congress and not only can they not come up with a bill on their signature issue, but they are reduced to beating up straw men for sound bites.

I'm glad everyone is happy watching this. I'm going to puke while I think of the sop to the Health Insurance and Pharma industries Health Care reform will become so that the Democrats can say they passed something.

Posted by: Yankee Doodle at September 30, 2009 11:49 PM

Oh they will. This is just the tenderizing phase, so that eventual GOP whining about how they got left out of the process will have less bite.

IF we can beat back the insurance companies our nation will benefit a great deal. Which is a big if, but you damn well bet we got a better chance on that front then if it was the GOP leading the fight.

Heh. As if such a hypothetical could be possible.

Posted by: Rhodo Zeb at October 1, 2009 01:24 AM

I can’t believe I actually read this garbage. Who controls the senate? Democrats Who controls the house? Democrats Who controls the White House? Democrats
You don’t need the GOP to do anything! So why hasn’t something been done? Every time the GOP attempts to make a change or to add their ides they get voted down.

This isn’t health care reform! ANY health care reform must have tort reform with it. Otherwise it is just another tax working people will have to pay.

I’m sure you won’t even review this…

Posted by: john at October 1, 2009 01:25 PM

"ANY health care reform must have tort reform with it. Otherwise it is just another tax working people will have to pay." Give me a break.

Posted by: Just me at October 1, 2009 02:53 PM

I AGREE with Grayson 100%!
Its about time someone said it like it is!
The GOP need to face the facts, The country no longer wants any part of them! they had 8 years to come up with a plan !
The republicans dropped like flies during the last election.
All this fit throwing and acting like children will be remembered at our next election also.
Good for you Allen Grayson!
Don't your dare apologize!

Posted by: cheryl at October 1, 2009 05:39 PM