Congressman Gingrey (R-Versailles)
by digby
Wow. I thought these people were out of touch, but this really takes the cake:
Yesterday, the Department of Health and Human Services released a new report showing that up to 129 million Americans have a pre-existing condition and would likely be denied coverage in the individual health insurance market. According to the analysis, examples of what may be considered a pre-existing condition include, “heart disease, cancer, asthma, high blood pressure, and arthritis.”
Republicans have questioned the results of the report by arguing that many Americans with pre-existing conditions already have insurance coverage, but during this afternoon’s floor debate in the House, Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA) took the argument one step further, belittling the ailments:
GINGREY: One hundred and twenty nine million people with pre-existing conditions! They would all have to have hang nails and fever blisters to have pre-existing conditions and if you believe those statistics, I’ve got a beach to sell you in Pennsylvania.
These pampered princes with their federal cadillac plan have absolutely no idea what it’s like to try to deal with the private health insurance market. I was denied health insurance from three different companies because I had been treated for gingivitis in the previous five years. I kid you not. It took me appealing all the way to the top, with proof that the condition had been reversed, before a fourth would take me.
Not a hangnail or a fever blister, but close. They will use any excuse to exclude you, particularly if you are over a certain age. Gingrey is a privileged ass.
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