Scene: Continuation of conversation between Jordan and JC.  Conversation centers on themes for government policies following Revenge Revolution.  Jordan and JC have agreed to a deadline of this evening to complete the work.  When finished, Jordan will schedule a review with POTUS.  Conversation begins Entry #131.

Background: JC and Jordan have concluded that the standard measure for future government policies should be ‘treat thy neighbor as thyself.’  This entry uses the policy to address healthcare.

JC:  “OK, Jordan, ready to talk about healthcare?”

Jordan:  “A good way to start will be having everyone repeat after me, the standard for all government policies is “treat thy neighbor as thyself.”

JC:  “Alright old wise one, now how do we link the mantra to healthcare policy?”

Jordan:  “Ideally the US adopts to a national healthcare program with the option…emphasis on option…for individuals and families to buy additional coverage.”

JC:  “The optional service — you talking about concierge-type healthcare service?  Ya know, where someone can visit the doctor pretty much whenever they want?  Most of the time little or no waiting.  Like having doctors on call.”

Jordan:  “That’s what I’m talking about.  For those who insist national healthcare cannot be good enough for them, and they have the money, let them buy the concierge option.”

JC:  “But wouldn’t the basic national healthcare system cover everyone?”

Jordan:  “Yes, covers everyone.  One point that really needs to be emphasized.  The basic system, as you call it, will be comprehensive, covering virtually all situations.  See how simple the approach is.”

JC:  “But the plan won’t work.”

Jordan:  “Why not?”

JC:  “Republicans are opposed to any program the government runs.  For Republicans, private industry can always do a better job…and supposedly at less cost.”

Jordan:  “What healthcare program have the Republicans proposed that meets the standard of ‘treat thy neighbor as thyself’?”

JC:  “None.  But still they have no policy other than ‘national healthcare can’t work’.”

Jordan:  “Much of the time Republicans in Congress…and I’ve said before…ought to be called  ‘Republicants’.  Congressional Republicans and the general public need to be reminded about how their policy of ‘no, never, nada’ has consequences.”

JC:  “This story I assume you’re about to tell me — for real or one of those stories with 10% fact and 90% fiction?”

Jordan:  “No the story is for real.  When it happened, there was a lot of coverage locally and then the story went viral.”

JC:  “You talking about that guy in Charlotte, NC?”

Jordan:  “Yes.  Actually near Charlotte just over the border in South Carolina.”

JC:  “Tell me again what happened.”

Jordan:  “The short version is this.  The guy has his own business as a handyman.  Some of the customers are banks which have foreclosed on homes that need repair.  He does do not buy any private insurance and also refuses to buy insurance offered through the Affordable Care Act.  And, just to add another dimension to the story, he’s a good right-wing Republican.”

JC:  “Yeah, I remember, then he gets sick, like real sick.”

Jordan:  “Actually, without an operation he will lose eyesight, at least in one eye.  The condition, which I do not remember, was caused in part by diabetes.  He also continued to smoke, which I’m certain didn’t help.”

JC:  “I remember.  Now he needs insurance to pay for the operation and begins complaining because he can’t get coverage, even under Obamacare.”  (One of many articles about the situation.)

Jordan:  “Alleges he was rejected by Obamacare but the reasons for being rejected kept changing, and he never did get very specific.  One time the reason was he kept getting transferred after calling an 800 number.  Another time he claimed Obamacare was too complicated.  Another time he claimed he did not qualify because he had no income.  BTW, at the time he lived in a house valued at $300k…and he still might live there.”

JC:  “Didn’t his wife make some claim also?”

Jordan:  “She thought he should go to the head of the line for medical treatment, bypassing other people who were, as she implied, less worthy.”

JC:  “I get it.  Refuse to buy insurance.  Blame Obamacare for being too complicated and also blame all those other people who paid for coverage as being less worthy.  Neither the husband nor wife seems like the brightest crayon in the box.  But, in fairness to them, wasn’t a major provision of Obamacare that pre-existing conditions were covered?”

Jordan:  “Pre-existing conditions are covered under the Affordable Care Act…unlike private insurance.  But to participate in Obamacare you must buy insurance during the enrollment period, which lasts several months a year.”

JC:  “He didn’t follow the rules and enroll during the period, but still wanted the benefits.  Reminds of some Republican governors and Congressman who complain about Federal government overreach until there’s a flood, tornado or hurricane in their area.  Then ask for government help.”

Jordan:  “And have the gall to complain the government didn’t respond quickly enough.”

JC:  “Of course, those Congressional reps complaining loudest conveniently forget to mention the budget cuts they forced on the government agencies responsible for responding to disasters.  So enough pointing fingers, already.  Where does that leave us?”

Jordan:  “I think a way to address health care is to use the guy and his wife as an example.”

JC:  “What was the guy’s name anyway?

Jordan:  “Something like Lois Lane.  But I think his name is Luis Lang.”

JC:  “Sounds right.  By the way, what happened to him?”

Jordan:  “He begged for money.  And some hard-core Democrats contributed to a fund for the operation.”

JC:  “How ironic.  He’s helped by the some of the very people he despised.  While his behavior smells, I guess using him as an example would help draw attention to why we need national healthcare.”

Jordan:  “I agree we need to drop scolding him for stupid behavior.  But it seems fair to talk about how one’s actions have consequences.”

JC:  “So rather than blame old Luis Lang…I love the link to Lois Lane…we should focus on how national health care would prevent such tragedies.”

Jordan:  “That’s why I keep thinking the benchmark of ‘treat thy neighbor as thyself’ will force more meaningful discussion and action.”

JC:  “But isn’t national health care a case of what Republicans would characterize as classic government overreach?”

Jordan:  “What’s the alternative?”

JC:  “There is no alternative so I guess the Republicans would let Mr. Lang go blind.”

Jordan:  “Would a Republican congressman in that situation want his neighbor or family member to go blind?  If they do, then they can vote to reject national health care.  But I don’t think many will.”

JC:  “It’s easy to reject national healthcare as a concept.  It’s much more difficult to reject national healthcare when rejecting it has such negative, specific and identifiable consequences.”

Jordan:  “National healthcare is not without problems, and no doubt a few people will fall through the cracks.”

JC:  “But as you’re suggesting…and I agree…when issue of healthcare is framed in the context of ‘treat thy neighbor as thyself,’ then national healthcare becomes a very obvious and practical solution.”

Jordan:  “Obamacare is a great start.  We need to put public pressure on Republicans to support the Affordable Care Act and support filling in the gaps.”

JC:  “By doing so we’ll have far fewer situations like Luis Lang.”

Jordan:  “Exactly.”

JC:  “Good story for tonight’s mock broadcast from the Oval Office.  What’s the next government policy topic?

Jordan:  “Corporate behavior.”

(To be continued)

More about the origination of the blog and the author, Entry #1.

Ebook format of recent series of entries on Federal Budget.  15 05 23 Do They Really Understand Entries #121-#130