Grassley Unwilling To Vote For ‘Good’ Health Care Policy Unless ‘More Than Four Republicans’ Support It
But moments later, Grassley seemed to abandon his emphasis on “good policy.” When MSNBC’s Chuck Todd asked him if he was “willing to be one of just three or four Senate Republicans that support an eventual deal if you get what you want out of the Senate Finance Committee and it’s an agreed upon deal with the Gang of Six,” Grassley replied, “certainly not”:
GRASSLEY: Certainly not. And I told the president that a week ago Thursday and I told Max Baucus that over a period of three or four months, so I’m not telling you anything new. In fact, let me build on what you said and why I say that I wouldn’t be. I’m negotiating for Republicans and if I can’t negotiate something that gets more than four Republicans, I’m not a very good representative of my party. And secondly, we’re talking about health care, that’s life or death for every American and we’re talking about one sixth of the economy. And that ought to be done, as Senator Baucus said, in a consensus sort of way where it passes with an overwhelming vote in the United States Senate.
So, Grassley chooses party over the people. Maybe this is one of the reasons explain why Grassley is against healthcare reform:
The Iowa Christian Alliance also is "closely watching [Sen. Charles] Grassley," pressuring him to "oppose any sort of public option as part of the final measure," and encouraging members to attend his town hall meetings. "
Also, here is an interesting analysis on Americablog that asked a health insurance expert friend what kind of health insurance plan Senators like Chuck Grassley would actually get as members of Congress:
Ok, so it's probably best to compare family plans, as that's the number quoted in the video, and Grassley has/had a family.Here is the info on the FEHBP plan Grassley got until he was 65
But moments later, Grassley seemed to abandon his emphasis on “good policy.” When MSNBC’s Chuck Todd asked him if he was “willing to be one of just three or four Senate Republicans that support an eventual deal if you get what you want out of the Senate Finance Committee and it’s an agreed upon deal with the Gang of Six,” Grassley replied, “certainly not”:
GRASSLEY: Certainly not. And I told the president that a week ago Thursday and I told Max Baucus that over a period of three or four months, so I’m not telling you anything new. In fact, let me build on what you said and why I say that I wouldn’t be. I’m negotiating for Republicans and if I can’t negotiate something that gets more than four Republicans, I’m not a very good representative of my party. And secondly, we’re talking about health care, that’s life or death for every American and we’re talking about one sixth of the economy. And that ought to be done, as Senator Baucus said, in a consensus sort of way where it passes with an overwhelming vote in the United States Senate.
So, Grassley chooses party over the people. Maybe this is one of the reasons explain why Grassley is against healthcare reform:
The Iowa Christian Alliance also is "closely watching [Sen. Charles] Grassley," pressuring him to "oppose any sort of public option as part of the final measure," and encouraging members to attend his town hall meetings. "
Also, here is an interesting analysis on Americablog that asked a health insurance expert friend what kind of health insurance plan Senators like Chuck Grassley would actually get as members of Congress:
Ok, so it's probably best to compare family plans, as that's the number quoted in the video, and Grassley has/had a family.Here is the info on the FEHBP plan Grassley got until he was 65
(we're using Blue Cross because it's standard and what most people end up buying)
On the last page, you can see the rates. $356.59 per month for the entire family. The benefits are great (see page before the prices, standard benefits, summery of benefits):
$20 co-pay, $200 for any hospital stay of any length, $0 for outpatient services, all subject to a $300 deductible, so you only pay max $300 per visit. Dental included. Annual limit is $5,000.
Compare that to a typical plan for a typical Iowan age 64 with a wife and a kid from http://www.ehealthinsurance.com/
On the last page, you can see the rates. $356.59 per month for the entire family. The benefits are great (see page before the prices, standard benefits, summery of benefits):
$20 co-pay, $200 for any hospital stay of any length, $0 for outpatient services, all subject to a $300 deductible, so you only pay max $300 per visit. Dental included. Annual limit is $5,000.
Compare that to a typical plan for a typical Iowan age 64 with a wife and a kid from http://www.ehealthinsurance.com/
I'm using the bestseller, benefits pasted below.
Monthly costs are $541.23. Deductible is $15,000 ($5,000 per person). You still pay 20% of costs even after the deductible is reached. Annual limit is $21,000.
So, let's take a scenario. Chuck Grassley, the Senator, gets indigestion but thinks it's a heart attack and goes to the emergency room. The most he pays for that is $300.
John Doe the Iowan has the same problem. He could be stuck paying $5,000, more if the full bill is higher (he pays 20% of all charges over that).
Finally, some interesting info:
Poll shows support for public health insurance - Associated Press, Iowa in May 2009.
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