Rep. Posey: I’m For Gov’t-Insured Health Care For Myself And The Elderly, But Against Public Option

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This past Wednesday, ThinkProgress attended a health care town hall forum held by Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL) in Melbourne, FL. During the event, Posey expressed his opposition to a public option. On the day of the town hall, the lead editorial in the local newspaper — The Florida Today — noted that Posey receives excellent health care as a member of Congress:

Keep in mind Posey received free health care premiums courtesy of taxpayers during his many years in the Florida Legislature.

And that taxpayers pay up to 70 percent of Congress members' premiums.

In the real world, more Americans are losing health care and dying for lack of it every day.

During the question-and-answer session, an attendee ask Posey, "Why should taxpayers pay for your insurance when you clearly make enough money to pay for it on your own?" After reading the question aloud, Posey quipped, "One of the perks of the job I guess!" A member of the audience yelled out, "You're welcome!" Posey concluded by saying that he "needed to get a more detailed breakdown to better answer the question."

At the town hall, Posey expressed his unwillingness to extend the same "perks" he receives — guaranteed, affordable, quality insurance — to all Americans. He said he opposes the public option, and told the crowd that, if Congress passes it, all members should be required to enroll in it.

After the event, ThinkProgress confronted Posey about his objections to a public plan; we asked him whether he's also against Medicare:

TP:

I heard you're against the public option tonight. Are you also against Medicare for your constituents?

…

POSEY:

No, we have Medicare now. I don't have a problem with Medicare.

TP: Why not a problem with Medicare then? A public option is giving an option to all Americans just like Medicare.

POSEY: No.

TP: What's the difference?

POSEY:

There's a big difference.

At that point, a Posey staff member pulled him away from our conversation. Watch it:

Of course, Posey is for Medicare; it appeared that a majority of the crowd on Wednesday night consisted of seniors. Nevertheless, he supports a "tenther" provision that would theoretically declare Medicare unconstitutional in Florida. And he refuses to give all Americans the option to buy into quality, affordable coverage that both he and seniors enjoy.

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/09/05/posey-public-option/

[dalegg 143]

Why do you keep concerning yourself with what Republicans think or say about Healthcare? It is ultimately completely up to Democrats and is in their power to decide what happens.

[Dan J 277]

Why do you keep concerning yourself with what Republicans think or say about Healthcare? It is ultimately completely up to Democrats and is in their power to decide what happens.

The Republicans have been rather successful at generating FUD which has changed the debate from substance to fear.

They did have a chance to be part of the healthcare debate, and were invited to participate. Which is better than what Democrats got during the Bush administration. But instead they put their party ideology in front of the interests of the people and blew any chance to be taken seriously.

[dalegg 143]

Why do you keep concerning yourself with what Republicans think or say about Healthcare? It is ultimately completely up to Democrats and is in their power to decide what happens.

The Republicans have been rather successful at generating FUD which has changed the debate from substance to fear.

They did have a chance to be part of the healthcare debate, and were invited to participate. Which is better than what Democrats got during the Bush administration. But instead they put their party ideology in front of the interests of the people and blew any chance to be taken seriously.

This is really a crazy statement to make. Why wouldn't Republicans put their party ideology in front? They were voted into their positions because of their party ideology.

Is there anyone out there, anywhere, that was under the belief that the Republican congressman they voted for was going to support a public healthcare option?

I don't think so. This has to have gone into your voting decision when you voted for them. To me it is practically treasonous to come in with a platform during campaigns and then act differently once you get elected, so don't blame the Republicans, blame the voters.

I don't know what you mean by that "better than Democrats got" statement either. I don't recall there being a real healthcare debate during the Bush years, so you can't be talking about that, but if you are assuming that Republicans shut out Democrats in congress that is also crazy. Republicans never enjoyed the type of majorities that the Democrats now enjoy- fillibuster proof- so in order to get anything passed the would have HAD to have made comprimises in their bills. Obviously they probably ignored the far left, but to say Democrats were completely not involved like Republicans are now is just not true.

[Ban Hammer 14,668]

Why do you keep concerning yourself with what Republicans think or say about Healthcare? It is ultimately completely up to Democrats and is in their power to decide what happens.

just like nothing runs like a deere, no one hates republicans like steven.

[HAL 9000 96]

Steven has brought forward (yet again) more good points about how hypocritical many Republicans are acting, just because.