Rep.-elect Walsh will turn down government health insurance

[cal04]

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/135129-rep-elect-walsh-will-turn-down-government-sponsored-health-insurance

Another newly elected Republican member of Congress says he will not accept the government-sponsored health insurance plan available to lawmakers.

Rep.-elect Joe Walsh (Ill.), who rode a wave of Tea Party support to surprisingly defeat three-term Rep. Melissa Bean (D) in November, said that he does not believe lawmakers should receive the benefits.

(snip)
So far, incoming Reps. Bobby Schilling (R-Ill.) and Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) have declined their government health insurance.

But Walsh's wife is reportedly unhappy with her husband's decision: she has a pre-existing medical condition and will have to purchase her own insurance, according to the Chicago News Cooperative.

Surprise Representative Plans Surprises of His Own in Washington
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/26/us/politics/26cncwarren.html

[BeyondGeography]

1. Here come the goofballs

[mike_c]

2. good-- I respect a person with the courage to live their convictions....

Of course, I think he's a fool, but at least he's a principled fool. The world needs more of those.

[LiberalFighter]

3. A principled fool that doesn't care about the welfare of his family.

[EC]

6. But what is the principle he's living up too?

That he thinks employers shouldn't provide health insurance - when the system is rigged so that it is the only way a person can afford good health insurance? His wife is living in reality - he's merely showing her that she is unimportant in his life - that politics trumps her and his family...

[mike_c]

8. LOL-- I didn't say I agree with him, and I certainly won't defend his principles...

...because I do not share them. My understanding is that tea-baggers oppose what they view as government interference in free enterprise, in this case the commerce between medical providers, insurance companies, and consumers (e.g. patients). I disagree with that position wholeheartedly-- I want single payer health care for all Americans and the insurance companies can go bankrupt with my blessings. Nonetheless, the representative's actions are at least consistent with his principles as I understand them. I admire THAT, not his principles themselves, LOL.

[Mimosa]

9. He can buy his health insurance privately instead of accepting Congress's goldplated Cadillac plan

At least he isn't a hypocrite like the other 99% are.

I may disagree but unlike the restt he puts his money where his mouth is.

[LiberalFighter]

4. She will have to purchase her own insurance?

What does that household do? Go Dutch with their expenses?

[RKP5637]

5. Sure looks that way, I've got my money, go get yours, wife. No wife welfare from

him.

[left is right]

7. I say checkbook with him in three months

I bet he takes it