Drop Dead? Is That the Way Republican Reps. Talk to Seniors?

by Tula Connell, Jul 23, 2009

Tony Fransetta, president of the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans

Opponents of critically needed health care reform continue to demonstrate how out of touch they are with working America—and in a recent egregious comment by a House Republican, the opposition has also insulted the nation’s seniors. 

Here’s what Florida Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite said Tuesday on the House floor: 

“Last week, Democrats released a health care bill which essentially said to America’s seniors: ‘Drop dead.’ ”

Tony Fransetta, president of the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans, is outraged by Brown-Waite’s injudicious and downright ugly comment.

Rep. Brown-Waite’s remarks earlier this week were not only inappropriate and inaccurate, but they were a misleading and divisive attempt to scare Florida’s seniors in the current debate over national health care reform. 

As someone who represents more Medicare beneficiaries than any other member of Congress, Brown-Waite is unfortunately choosing political scare tactics over the pressing needs of her constituents.  The bill she assailed, H.R. 3200, would make giant strides to improve the quality of life for Americans of all ages.

Do her comments mean that she opposes the bill’s closing of the “donut hole” coverage gap in Medicare Part D?  One in four seniors spends part of each year simultaneously paying full price for their prescriptions while also paying their monthly premiums.  Do her comments mean that she opposes creating an affordable Medicare buy-in for early retirees age 55-64 who cannot obtain or afford private insurance?  There are nearly 5 million people in this age group who put their health at risk because of delays in diagnosing or treating chronic medical conditions such as diabetes. 

In sum, says Fransetta: 

There is no place in this debate for Rep. Brown-Waite’s politics of divide and conquer. 

Nor for this type of insulting language.

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