We’re shocked.

From Senator Claire McCaskill (D) this morning, via Twitter:

Claire McCaskill ‏@clairecmc

Ted Cruz shouldn’t be criticized for buying private insurance with no govt subsidy on a private ins marketplace.Thats what I did. #obamacare

6:20 AM – 26 Mar 2015

Our senator couldn’t be early morning trolling on the Internets, could she?

The #obamacare tag is a clue.

A small sampling of the responses:

Tina McGugan ‏@TinaMcGugan

@clairecmc True, but you haven’t been grandstanding and bleating about repealing the ACA.

6:23 AM – 26 Mar 2015

Someone (Maybe a Ted Cruze fan?) jumped at the bait:

Tania R Guimaraes ‏@aweiser278

@clairecmc There is a special place in hell for people like you

6:23 AM – 26 Mar 2015

That one alone made it all worthwhile.

Beth Allen ‏@Grdnsewcookread

@clairecmc Wow! There are a lot of dumb people on your TF-

6:58 AM – 26 Mar 2015

No argument there.

…you did get some answers.

Senator Roy Blunt (r) [August 2013 file photo].

Senator Roy Blunt (r), via Twitter, on Monday:

Senator Roy BluntVerified @RoyBlunt

As we mark #ObamaCare’s 5th anniv today, I’m still fighting to repeal & replace this law w/common-sense solutions [….] 11:25 AM – 23 Mar 2015

People appear to like their Obamacare. Fancy that. A few of the responses:

Lance Finney ‏@LMFinney

@RoyBlunt The ACA lowers costs, increases access, and saves lives. Fighting that isn’t common sense. 11:27 AM – 23 Mar 2015

Austin Allison ‏@azta110790

.@RoyBlunt I have yet to hear you list a single “common-sense solution”. 11:28 AM – 23 Mar 2015

Brad Anderson ‏@bja009

@RoyBlunt How about requiring more transparency in the pricing and billing of healthcare services? Propose that. 11:32 AM – 23 Mar 2015

Ph.D Street Smarts ‏@GOPHatesUsWhy

And take hc from millions who just got it.. real manly of you GOPeers; REALLY, MANLY!! @RoyBlunt 11:34 AM – 23 Mar 2015

Rick Pendleton ‏@Racefan_45

@RoyBlunt what do u have to replace it with or am I just suppose to go without health care insurance at all?????? 11:35 AM – 23 Mar 2015

Brady Shea ‏@bmatthewshea

. @RoyBlunt I would be fine with a single-payer system – replace it with that. (Ha) Until you can give specific solution, please STFU 11:40 AM – 23 Mar 2015

Leslie G. ‏@kckitty

@RoyBlunt I like my healthcare. Because of Obamacare, its cheaper and better! 11:54 AM – 23 Mar 2015

Terry Linhardt ‏@tlinhardt

@RoyBlunt Please list all of your common-sense solutions. Are they on your web site for all to view? 1:27 PM – 23 Mar 2015

Rich Zellich ‏@zellich

@RoyBlunt Don’t repeal it, fix the problems it has. It was a GOP idea in the first place, why do you think it’s wrong now? 6:08 PM – 23 Mar 2015

Heh.

Don’t you just love social media? It’s taken the old practice of yelling at your television set when somebody on it said something really stupid and given that expression of contempt a giant megaphone in the ether of the electronic public sphere.

Previously:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): ask and ye shall receive (March 21, 2015)

Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) [August 2014 file photo].

Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) posted a request on Facebook yesterday, looking for responses to her question about the Affordable Care Act:

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler

Yesterday at 10:31am ·

Have you run into troubles with your taxes due to Obamacare? Has Obamacare given you a headache instead of a cure? I want to hear your story. As Tax Day nears, visit my website and tell me how Obama’s onerous “tax” has affected you.

[….]

[emphasis added]

Much hilarity ensued. A few of the responses:

[….] You don’t want my story because I’m totally satisfied with the ACA. Sorry to disappoint you in your search for validation.

Yesterday at 10:41am

[….] I haven’t had any issues with ACA or taxes. Thanks for asking!

Yesterday at 10:47am

[….] As someone who can’t afford health insurance, I wasn’t fined for not having health insurance. Find a new witch to hunt.

Yesterday at 10:50am

[….] My son was able to get medical insurance because of the Affordable Care Act. Please don’t play politics with this.

Yesterday at 10:53am

[….] Congresswoman Hartzler > Instead of looking for only negative stories that fit your narrative of Obama-bashing, why don’t you pretend to be less partisan and ask for honest feedback of ALL kinds? Lots of people have good stories to tell about their experience with the Affordable Care Act… why not seek the truth, instead of only the negativity? There are bad aspects to it, to be sure, but your job is to find ways to IMPROVE it, not to engage in hate sessions with your constituents. Don’t forget that this kind of childish behavior is remembered at election time. It is beneath your office to behave like this. We deserve better.

Yesterday at 11:01am

[….] Nothing could have been easier!

Yesterday at 11:34am

[….] I’ve had no problems with the ACA and filing my taxes was a breeze. Thanks for asking!

Yesterday at 11:37am

[….] Over 16.5 MILLION people now have insurance because of this onerous program. You morons would do well to get REAL!

Yesterday at 11:42am

[….] Onerous program? do you no realize it cuts the deficit and repealing it would add hundreds of billions to the deficit?

Yesterday at 11:48am

[….] How long is Congress going to allow obama to destroy this Country

Yesterday at 11:55am

Not on point, but okay then.

[….] Obama Care is working for millions of Americans, just check the numbers. I wish you would spend more time on looking into what really needs attention like rebuilding our failing infrastructure, which would add many jobs and thus boost our economy.

Yesterday at 12:19pm

[….] My 17 years living without health insurance were worse than any IRS issue.

Yesterday at 1:06pm

[….] My coverage got better!! With no increase in premium or out of pocket

Yesterday at 1:24pm

And another’s reply to that:

[….] That’s great! Mine was similar. A slight increase in premiums but nothing that doesn’t make me rejoice for the millions who are now covered.

Yesterday at 3:39pm

[….] Why would ANYONE need a Story? The Fact that obama and His Treasonous Democrats Voted for, Passed and Exempted themselves and thier staffers from Commie Care.

Yesterday at 2:44pm

Ah, Faux News Channel alternate reality. There were a few other responses that had complaints.

Most were positive.

[….] How clueless are you exactly, Congresswoman? Americans overwhelming support ACA (even your fellow Reptilians support it in polls when it is called by it’s actually name and not “Obamacare, which proves how stupid your constituents are) – there are more people protected by insurance currently in the country than EVER in history thanks to ACA.

Yet you and your idiotic cronies keep wasting time and money on trying to repeal something that HELPS the majority of Americans? And, in the same breath want to tell us you AREN’T owned by your Corporate Lords & Masters??? The only ones more stupid than you are the inbreds that voted for you.

Yesterday at 3:14pm

[….] The problem with republicans is they’re all chiefs and no Indians. If this congresswoman has a better way to ensure all have access to quality and affordable care, let’s hear it. Otherwise she should shut her pie hole and be grateful she gets 200 thousand a year from taxpayers to do nothing.

Yesterday at 3:16pm

[….] I have health insurance BECAUSE OF the ACA; I wouldn’t be able to get it without that. “Pre-existing condition” is something that eventually affects everyone!!!!

I agree; if you have a better plan, cough it up. Otherwise please STFU.

Yesterday at 3:20pm

[….] Stupid Congress woman. GOP healthcare=toe tag and a morgue drawer

Yesterday at 3:34pm

[….] It was good for me. Bashing it, won’t help anyone.

23 hrs

[….] Would you like to hear my story? It’s been great! I have been able to keep my kids on insurance throughout their college years. My husband who has a preexisting condition would have been “uninsurable” now has options. Preventative care is covered.

23 hrs

[….] Its been a huge help to my entire family, and to many readers of my newspaper column. Some are saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year; some have health insurance for the first time since they aged out of their parents’ policy. Please stop these politically motivated and ill-advised attacks on a long overdue program.

22 hrs

[….] No Vicky, I had problems BEFORE the ACA. My problems were no insurance and now I’m covered. No thanks to you.

19 hrs

[….] Our family is very pleased with the ACA. We now have access to more medical services, we haven’t had to pay any copays, and the coverage network area has increased. Before the ACA we paid $1,100 per month for a $3,000 individual/$6500 family deductible. We now pay $600 per month for a $500 individual/$1,000 family deductible – with better services.

46 mins

That went well.

That’ll stop the bleeding for sure.

Representative Caleb Rowden (r) [2013 file photo].

A bill, introduced today by Representative Caleb Rowden (r):

HB 1139

Creates an income tax deduction for certain penalties assessed under the Affordable Care Act and paid on a federal return

Sponsor: Rowden, Caleb (044)

Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2015

LR Number: 2496L.01I

Last Action: 03/09/2015 – Introduced and Read First Time (H)

Bill String: HB 1139

[….]

FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 1139 [pdf]

98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ROWDEN.

2496L.01I D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk

AN ACT

To amend chapter 143, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to a deduction for certain federal tax payments.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

Section A. Chapter 143, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 143.845, to read as follows:

143.845. In addition to all deductions listed in this chapter, a taxpayer shall be allowed a deduction for amounts assessed and paid under Section 5000A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. As used in this section, “deduction” shall mean an amount subtracted from the taxpayer’s Missouri adjusted gross income to determine Missouri taxable income for the tax year in which such deduction is claimed.

[emphasis in original]

So, Missouri taxpayers are currently only paying for Medicaid expansion in other states because the republican controlled General Assembly won’t do anything to address the issue of the uninsured in Missouri. And while they’re at it, in their infinite wisdom, they want to reduce Missouri’s revenue (and, think about the cascading effects, while increasing Missouri’s health care costs) while their inaction on Medicaid continues to siphon Missouri taxpayer dollars to other states.

What a clown show.

Die.

That’s the cruel reality.

An exchange via Twitter with Representative Elijah Haahr (r) on the subject of the Affordable Care Act case before the U.S. Supreme Court:

Elijah Haahr ‏@elijahhaahr

For legal nerds w no time, @BenchMemos summarizes the amicus briefs filed in #KingvBurwell including shout outs to @jadler1969 & @HawleyMO 8:24 AM – 2 Mar 2015

Taunia ‏@TauniaAdams

.@elijahhaahr What do you suggest Missourians on chemo do if they lose HC coverage b/c of #KingvBurwell ? #moleg http://bit.ly/1Gbpils 9:27 AM – 2 Mar 2015

Elijah Haahr ‏@elijahhaahr

@TauniaAdams Since the question of coverage is not before the court, perhaps you could stop scaring people with false rhetoric. 9:40 AM – 2 Mar 2015

Is that an assertion that people won’t lose their coverage due to a lack of affordability? It’s called the Affordable Care Act for a reason.

Taunia ‏@TauniaAdams

.@elijahhaahr “If she can no longer get that subsidy..” she can’t afford coverage. Suggestion? #KingvBurwell #moleg [….] 10:03 AM – 2 Mar 2015

Elijah Haahr ‏@elijahhaahr

.@TauniaAdams Yes. Tell her to lobby Congress & @BarackObama to repeal #Obamacare – a law that has to be read wrongly for her to use it. 10:08 AM – 2 Mar 2015

That “read wrongly” part has yet to be determined. Uh, and with repeal of the ACA what replaces it? Preexisting condition exclusions? Just asking.

Taunia ‏@TauniaAdams

.@elijahhaahr Asking again: what’s your plan for Missourians who lose healthcare coverage if #KingvBurwell sustained? #moleg 10:22 AM – 2 Mar 2015

Elijah Haahr ‏@elijahhaahr

@TauniaAdams Repeal Obamacare and create a system that works without needing the IRS to break the law for it to be effective. 10:25 AM – 2 Mar 2015

What a tool.

Replace it with single payer? Right.

Would that new system the republicans are thinking about include a prohibition of denial of coverage for preexisting conditions, a prohibition of rescission of coverage, eliminate lifetime coverage limits, regulate annual insurance limits, and allow young adults to stay on their parents’ coverage until age 26? Oh, wait.

Taunia ‏@TauniaAdams

.@elijahhaahr Repeal #ACA, replace w/ non-existing GOP HC plan; about 2/3 years. What do chemo patients do during? #KingvBurwell #moleg 10:50 AM – 2 Mar 2015

There’s an answer. Die.

Richard Mayhew at Balloon Juice:

….2001 to 2015 contains an interesting case study of policy implementation and formulation by reactionaries and liberals in the United States.  The liberal policy project was to greatly expand health insurance coverage while reducing total societal cost growth of health care spending.  The conservative goal was to break and remake Iraq.  One is succeeding, the other is a Hydra headed cluster-fuck….

[….]

….any one who cheerleaded for the invasion of Iraq and believed that there was exclusively Good News ™ and painted schools in Iraq for the first decade of this century and then argues that a fairly straightforward health care coverage expansion is impossible should be ignored as they’ve proven that they have anti-judgement.

This, this, a thousand times this.

Sarah Felts ‏@sarahfelts

#JonStewart on #BrianWilliams’s suspension: “Finally someone is being held to account for misleading America about the Iraq War.” 9:41 PM – 10 Feb 2015

Don’t hold your breath for more.

As Michael Bersin pointed out earlier today, Claire McCaskill can get to the heart of the matter when it’s necessary. She made it clear that the problem with Rep. Mike Moon’s (R-157) legislative resolution “calling for the Missouri Congressional delegation to “endeavor with ‘manly firmness’ and resolve to totally and completely repeal” and not replace the 2010 Affordable Care Act” isn’t the reflexively sexist language that he used. The problem is his cheering for “kicking folks off their health coverage and once again letting insurance companies discriminate against women and sick people.” It’s his meanness plain and simple that got McCaskill riled up.

The sexist language is just par for the course. This is the same Rep. Moon who last year advocated closing down the last clinic in Missouri where women could exercise their choice to procure an abortion. His idea of humor includes this tweet: “#FailedCharities The Sandra Fluke Recycled Contraceptive Program” – not surprising since he is endorsed by Missouri Right to Life (MRL), an endorsement that carries with it, according to MRL, an assurance that the candidate supports the such extreme positions as banning abortion with, ideally, no exceptions for rape or incest; banning emergency contraception, birth control pills, and IUDs; along with support for “personhood” amendments. These bozos even oppose membership in the Girl Scouts because they “they link to the “pro-abortion World Health Organization” on their website.”  

Rep Moon, however, seems to be somewhat bewildered by the attention Senator McCaskill’s response has focused on  his effort to pander to that especially tribal segment of the Republican base that gets upset whenever anyone suggests that our government has an obligation to work for the well-being of all its citizens. Not only does he think the issue is just language, but he also seems to be bewildered by the way language works:

“It is just like going to war,” Moon said. “You want a soldier to fight like a man. If a woman is in the trenches, you want them to fight like a man, too.”

Because the measure of bravery is manliness, right? But Rep. Moon wasn’t through, though, ramming his foot down his throat:

Moon said he does not believe that being a male makes him a better lawmaker than his female colleagues. “I know there are some women who are much smarter than I am and I tip my hat to them.”

Well, I’m glad to know that Rep Moon knows “some” smart women – not to mention that he’s now tipped his hat to them. Isn’t this line of reasoning similar to the “friends” fallacy. You know: “I’m not a racist, some of my best friends are black,” I’m not homophobic, I know some gay people,” or “I’m not a murderer, I know lots of living people”?

But of course, the real offence isn’t that Rep. Moon is the foot-soldier in the GOP War on Women he has already revealed himself to be by his actual legislative agenda, but that that agenda, as Senator McCaskill correctly points out, is just plain mean, and, worse, mean for no practical reason. In Moon’s mind the real message he was trying to send was that members of his own party who are calling for Obamacare to be replaced are weak (and, yes, he does seem to think that equates to femininity); he wants to make it clear that the real problem with Obamacare isn’t in how it does what it does, but rather that it does anything at all. Moon wants government totally out of healthcare, he clearly believes it has no role to play in the well-being of its citizens. In his own words:

… . “It was not meant to downplay their womanhood at all. We just want them to know, every man and lady who is representing us, that we are demanding, as citizens of Missouri, that Obamacare be repealed and make it clear we don’t want a replacement.”

And the folks who can’t afford to provide their own healthcare can just die. This isn’t just misogyny, it’s misanthropy. It’s so mean the mind boggles. We can do lots better in the United States. McCaskill was right to aim her metaphorical kick at his metaphorical backside. Good on you, Claire.

*Slightly edited for clarity.

“….the members of the Missouri House of Representatives, Ninety-eighth General Assembly, hereby insist that each member of the Missouri Congressional delegation endeavor with “manly firmness” and resolve to totally and completely repeal the Affordable Care Act….”

Not totally enlightened.

A might touchy:

Matt Wills ‏@gopmatty

Leave it Missouri Dems to pick on language and not substance. Newflash: this is why you continue to lose #moleg seats. 9:12 PM – 9 Feb 2015

Yeah, right. Words have no meaning.

With ‘manly firmness’: Lawmaker calls on members of Congress to repeal ACA, oppose replacement

By Rudi Keller

Monday, February 9, 2015 at 6:08 pm

JEFFERSON CITY – State Rep. Mike Moon wants the Affordable Care Act repealed and according to a House resolution he’s sponsoring, it will take the proper application of “Y” chromosomes to get the job done….

[….]

….Rep. Wanda Brown, R-Lincoln, said she opposes Obamacare because “it is truly just an expansion of Medicaid. Medicaid is a terrible system. It is a broken system and we need to look at fixing problems, not increasing problems.”

She could not be more firm in her opposition to the law, Brown said. When shown the “manly firmness” provision, she shook her head and walked away, declining to comment.

State Rep. Stephen Webber, D-Columbia, said the language is unnecessary and insulting to Hartzler, Wagner and McCaskill. “It is a throwback to this idea of gender roles and I can’t believe anyone in 2015 talks like that. We have numerous female members of the congressional delegation, whether I agree with them or not they are capable of being strong people no matter what their gender is.”

We noted this a while back:

HR 99: Are those instructions good for Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r) and Rep. Ann Wagner (r)? (January 20, 2015)

[….]

“….WHEREAS, the Missouri House of Representatives agrees with the four United States Supreme Court justices about the unconstitutionality of the ACA, and finds that act to be most injurious of the basic freedoms Missouri citizens deserve….”

That and $1.50 will get you downtown on the bus. If your town has a bus.

And then there’s this call to action:

“….the members of the Missouri House of Representatives, Ninety-eighth General Assembly, hereby insist that each member of the Missouri Congressional delegation endeavor with “manly firmness” and resolve to totally and completely repeal the Affordable Care Act….”

We’re quite certain Representatives Hartzler (r) and Wagner (r) appreciate the sentiment behind the unfortunate use of language.

[….]

Right. Because four U.S. Supreme Court justices voting one way is more than five U.S. Supreme Court justices voting the other way.

Math is hard.

Just asking.

What your right wingnut controlled Missouri General Assembly spends it’s time on:

FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House Resolution No. 99 [pdf]

98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MOON.

1451L.01I

WHEREAS, in 2010, the United States Congress passed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as “Obamacare”; and

WHEREAS, the act was passed under questionable circumstances in which the United States Senate completely revised the language in H.R. 3590, a bill regarding housing tax breaks for service members, and used it as the vehicle for the ACA in order to skirt the technical requirements that a tax bill originate in the House; and

WHEREAS, four of the United States Supreme Court justices found the ACA to be an unconstitutional expansion of federal power in National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius; and

WHEREAS, to even consider National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius, the United States Supreme Court had to declare that the ACA wasn’t a tax bill, but the five justices who found it to be constitutional justified their opinion based on the taxing powers of the federal government; and

WHEREAS, the ACA affects as much as 1/6 of the economy and the ability of citizens to participate in a free and open health care market and has caused numerous health insurance companies to leave the market, resulting in a consolidation of health insurance services in fewer providers; and

WHEREAS, the implementation of the ACA has been fraught with problems; and

WHEREAS, as of the Spring of 2014, the number of uninsured Americans had decreased less than 5%; and

WHEREAS, Missouri voters have twice overwhelmingly rejected Obamacare through ballot initiatives, including Proposition C in 2010, which prohibits mandating the purchase of 30 health care related products and services, and through the passage of Proposition E in 2012, which prohibits the Governor and state agencies from implementing a health insurance exchange independent of the General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, voters in Missouri and across the United States have repeatedly elected officials from both the Republican and Democrat parties based on their promise to fight the Affordable Care Act, and there now are clearly enough members of the United States House and Senate to pass a bill repealing it; and

WHEREAS, the Missouri House of Representatives agrees with the four United States Supreme Court justices about the unconstitutionality of the ACA, and finds that act to be most injurious of the basic freedoms Missouri citizens deserve; and

WHEREAS, the People, in Article I, Section 2 of the Missouri Constitution, have declared that the “principal office of government” is to “give security” to their core liberties and that when a legislature fails to secure the People’s liberty “it fails in its chief design”; and

WHEREAS, each and every Representative has taken an oath to support the Constitutions of the United States and Missouri, and thereby has a personal responsibility to defend the People’s liberty:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we, the members of the Missouri House of Representatives, Ninety-eighth General Assembly, hereby insist that each member of the Missouri Congressional delegation endeavor with “manly firmness” and resolve to totally and completely repeal the Affordable Care Act, settling for no less than a full repeal; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare properly inscribed copies of this resolution for the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the President of the United States Senate, and each member of the Missouri Congressional delegation.

[emphasi in original]

“….WHEREAS, the Missouri House of Representatives agrees with the four United States Supreme Court justices about the unconstitutionality of the ACA, and finds that act to be most injurious of the basic freedoms Missouri citizens deserve….”

That and $1.50 will get you downtown on the bus. If your town has a bus.

And then there’s this call to action:

“….the members of the Missouri House of Representatives, Ninety-eighth General Assembly, hereby insist that each member of the Missouri Congressional delegation endeavor with “manly firmness” and resolve to totally and completely repeal the Affordable Care Act….”

We’re quite certain Representatives Hartzler (r) and Wagner (r) appreciate the sentiment behind the unfortunate use of language.

Yes, we know Senator Claire McCaskill (D) is also part of the Missouri congressional delegation, we just didn’t have enough room for her title and name on the headline.

The annual University of Central Missouri homecoming parade took place in Warrensburg today. In election years local (and sometimes statewide) politicians walk the parade and greet people along the route. The lineup for the parade starts at around 7:30 a.m. Almost everyone is waiting in place by the time the parade starts at 9:00 a.m., though the politicians usually don’t step off into the parade route until around 10:00 a.m. The wait gives those in the parade an opportunity to converse, talk, visit, schmooze, or whatever you want to call it.

This morning before the parade started Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) met Randy Huggins’ grandson for the first time.

Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) in the University of Central Missouri homecoming parade in Warrensburg this morning.

Over five years ago then candidate Vicky Hartzler (r) held a health care town hall in Warrensburg:

A health care story (September 3, 2009)

[….]

SMP: And, and you’ve told your story in a variety of, of places. Last week you attended a, another forum for, in this area. Could you tell me about that?

Randy Huggins:…Last Thursday I went to a health care information forum, I guess you could call it, Vicki Hartzler [a declared Republican candidate for the 4th Congressional District seat] held here. And she had concerns about the legislation and she had things that she liked about the legislation. Then she said she had solutions. The solution that she offered for the pre-existing condition my grandson had was, she offered to bring the family a, a hot meal. [pause] We’re hungry, but that’s not gonna help his heart, so.

SMP: And so, do you, do you feel some frustration when, when dealing with this, you know, the subject of health care reform and when you feel like people give you solutions that really aren’t solutions?

Randy Huggins: Absolutely it’s frustrating. [pause] I, I just, I don’t understand where they’re coming from. Why they can’t see the need to fix, the system’s broken. And they don’t see any need to fix it or to change it in any way. Just….

[….]

Randy Huggins and his grandson after the homecoming parade in Warrensburg – October 18, 2014.

Randy Huggins informed us that he approached Representative Hartzler (r) this morning and introduced his grandson to her. She was pleasant in her response and probably wasn’t yet making the connection.

He then told her this was the grandson who had the congenital heart defect for which his daughter’s health insurance denied coverage because they considered it a preexisting condition. He added that this was the grandson for which she had suggested people could bring a hot meal to the family to help out. He told us that she was somewhat rattled and responded about the propriety of making it political.

Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) and the republican party made it political in 2009. She continues to make it political and makes the consequences of losing health care very real for millions of Americans ever time she votes to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. This morning Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) had to face just one story in that reality.

Previously:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): the Affordable Care Act and what repeal really means to one family (July 13, 2012)