I don’t mind politicians saying things that they really do not mean, that can happen in the course of conversation. What I do mind however, is politicians who initiated the moment say things that clearly demonstrate their inability to understand the issues and the big picture. Take this example: http://www.care2.com/causes/politics/blog/angle-no-one-needs-autism/.
At issue here are not overrule political views or philosophy, a but what needs to be recognized is that share and Engel clearly displayed a lack of understanding of several issues. As a politician with political aspirations for the U.S. Senate and particularly addressing a crowd of people in the tes party movement who do not want Federal government involvement in local issues, she made a reference to the Federal government changing and overriding state law.
She also indicated that she has no concept of insurance. The last I checked to the definition of insurance was the contract with the company that would indemnify you against unexpected and unplanned for costs. For her to say quote I’d don’t plan on becoming pregnant, so I do not need for pregnancy insurance, is a clear indication that she has no grasp of the concept of insurance. The republicans stand against abortion? If so then shouldn’t it be a law that every unplanned pregnancy or planned pregnancy be covered under insurance so that the cost of having the baby is not prohibitive?
Take it a step farther no one plans on having cancer, but if that tragedy should strike, insurance should be there to cover the contingency. I also take exception to her comments about autism. Autism is a genetic condition, people are born with it. It is not planned for, and people don’t really want it. I myself am used to it, and live with it, but I would not necessarily want to be this way if I had a second bite at the apple. It is nice that she lives in a state where coverage for treatment and remediation is available and required by law. So many other states do not require coverage for autism treatment. If anything problem in our society is that people with autism cannot get the appropriate treatment that they need. As an adult who was diagnosed with autism at age 53 I resent the fact that treatments available for numerous lifestyle conditions are not available if the underlying diagnosis is autism.
What we have in this country that is called Health Insurance is so far from being true insurance that perhaps it is time to get back to the basics. Routine medical expenses such as vaccinations, routine Health Care, while care, well baby care, annual checkups, and even gym memberships and up being covered, while treatment for excessive and catastrophic Health Care treatment is not. When did we redefine insurance?
I do not like the Federal government’s approach to Health Care reform. I think that any politician who shares this lady’s views provides just as poor of an alternative. She should be accountable for her words and clarified their position be kosher use just plateau wrong if, if and should not be elected if she’s going to exclude people with permanent disabilities from treatment coverage through private insurance.
©2010 Dan Homan
