Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

CousinIT

(9,151 posts)
Wed May 3, 2017, 09:47 AM May 2017

GOP Congressman says he's getting calls from people who fear they may die if GOP health bill passes.

HAVE YOU CALLED YOUR REP TODAY? KEEP UP THE CALLS, THE EMAILS, THE MESSAGES, THE PRESSURE!

WE MUST KEEP MODERATES AND UNDECIDEDS FROM VOTING FOR DONTCARE!

HOUSE directory: http://www.house.gov/representatives/

SENATE: https://www.dailykos.com/story/2017/2/2/1629046/-Call-your-senator-Phone-numbers-for-every-office-of-every-U-S-senator

_ _ _ _ _

Winning back Mr. Upton, who has served in the House for 30 years, would buoy Republican leaders, who hope to get the bill through the House by Thursday, before lawmakers go home again and face pressure from constituents. Party leaders are facing an onslaught of advocacy groups and Democratic attack ads saying the bill would harm the nation’s most vulnerable citizens. Even a late-night talk show host, Jimmy Kimmel, joined with an emotional appeal.

Negotiations over the G.O.P. health care replacement bill are continuing. Here, we compile six news organizations’ estimates of the vote count.

A tearful Mr. Kimmel on Monday night told the story of his infant son, Billy, who was born with heart defects and had surgery. Mr. Kimmel pleaded with Congress not to undermine the Affordable Care Act’s ban on discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions.

After Mr. Kimmel’s monologue went viral, former President Barack Obama weighed in on Twitter, writing: “Well said, Jimmy. That’s exactly why we fought so hard for the ACA, and why we need to protect it for kids like Billy.”

House Republican leaders are also fighting against the clock. The House is scheduled to be in recess beginning on Friday and is not set to return until May 16. Republicans who are on the fence are likely to get an earful from their constituents.

. . .

Representative Tom Rooney, Republican of Florida, said he was “leaning yes” on the repeal bill, but agonizing over how to explain his vote to constituents.

“I have a lot of people who call my office on a daily basis who are extremely angry,” he said. “It’s not just because I’m a Republican, but because they are sincerely scared.”



https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/02/us/politics/health-care-paul-ryan-fred-upton-congress.html
7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
GOP Congressman says he's getting calls from people who fear they may die if GOP health bill passes. (Original Post) CousinIT May 2017 OP
What about the millions of people who live in Red states and have been denied Medicare expansion? Doodley May 2017 #1
If Obamacare survives or gets better just like Medicare all states will eventually have it. Demsrule86 May 2017 #3
Well, we have homeless people Turbineguy May 2017 #2
Unbelievable some of these guys' logic awesomerwb May 2017 #4
That's the plan! Chasstev365 May 2017 #5
He's not "leaning" shit Orrex May 2017 #6
He can simply explain that they have to die "for the good of the country" Tom Rinaldo May 2017 #7

Doodley

(8,976 posts)
1. What about the millions of people who live in Red states and have been denied Medicare expansion?
Wed May 3, 2017, 09:52 AM
May 2017

It is as though that isn't ever on the radar. Jimmy Kimmel goes on air and suddenly many more people are awakened to the importance of healthcare without pre-existing condition clauses for all, but why not wake up to Republican governors who have blocked Medicare expansion?

Demsrule86

(68,352 posts)
3. If Obamacare survives or gets better just like Medicare all states will eventually have it.
Wed May 3, 2017, 09:56 AM
May 2017

It is there only hope.

Turbineguy

(37,212 posts)
2. Well, we have homeless people
Wed May 3, 2017, 09:53 AM
May 2017

so CEO's can be paid ridiculously high, why not have people die so that the rich can get tax cuts?

awesomerwb

(139 posts)
4. Unbelievable some of these guys' logic
Wed May 3, 2017, 09:58 AM
May 2017
Representative Tom Rooney, Republican of Florida, said he was “leaning yes” on the repeal bill, but agonizing over how to explain his vote to constituents.

“I have a lot of people who call my office on a daily basis who are extremely angry,” he said. “It’s not just because I’m a Republican, but because they are sincerely scared.


So he's not concerned about his constituents, just over how to tell them he's throwing them under the bus? Vote him out!

Orrex

(63,086 posts)
6. He's not "leaning" shit
Wed May 3, 2017, 10:01 AM
May 2017

There is no nuance here, and anyone who is "leaning" one way or the other is simply waiting to receive their marching orders and/or the appropriate funding from interested parties.

This isn't "should we order pizza or sandwiches for delivery?" This is a fundamental and life-altering decision, with one choice leading to the deaths and suffering of millions and the other choice easing that suffering at the cost of slightly diminished healthcare industry profits.

Fuck any stupid asshole who comes down on the wrong side of this, and fuck any asshole who's still "leaning" one way or the other. At this point, how can anyone not have made up their mind? The matter has been discussed more or less constantly for close to a decade, and the only legislators who still don't know how to vote are simply trying to figure out how to minimize the damage they'll cause themselves on election day.

Tom Rinaldo

(22,911 posts)
7. He can simply explain that they have to die "for the good of the country"
Wed May 3, 2017, 10:04 AM
May 2017

You know, "better dead than red."

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»GOP Congressman says he's...