Out–of–touch politicians with short memories are not confined to the Washington, D.C. Zip codes.
For example, Republicans in the Virginia General Assembly managed to destroy whatever credibility they had in the national healthcare debate when the House of Delegates forced a health insurance mandate on Virginia businesses that wasn’t even included in the egregious, bloated Obamacare.
As an added bonus, they may have started chipping away at the relationship forged with the Tea Party during the last election.
The Republican–controlled (!) House approved a bill forcing health insurance companies to cover educational expenses associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder for children between 2 and 6 years old.
Lobbyists described it as “a huge step in the right direction” and passage will mean a windfall of $35,000 a year in almost free benefits for parents with autistic children.
And all for only an additional premium of $59/year for the family! How’s that for a return on your investment? Plus, persuading the General Assembly to pass the hat avoids those awkward encounters in the break room when you ask coworkers to contribute to your family’s therapy fund. Instead the state is forcing everyone in the company to pay for autism coverage they may not want or need.
Socialized medicine — meet socialized compassion.
Of course the Jubilee Year in Virginia only arrives for the parents of autistic children who work for a company with over 50 employees.
If you made a poor career decision and went to work for Bob’s Bait & Hubcaps, then your child’s autism doesn’t deserve the attention of the Commonwealth, but is instead a private, family matter you will have to handle on your own. Fire up the oven, because it’s back to bake sales for your kids.
Does this mean I am opposed to helping autistic children? No. It means I’m opposed to politicians who vote for feel–good legislation and require someone else to foot the bill for the celebration.
If House Republicans genuinely feel the Commonwealth should address autism therapy, then belly up to the bar and pass a bill that uses general fund money to pay for the program. Don't force the private sector to foot the bill while you take credit for helping "hundreds of families that need our assistance."
It only counts as compassion if you're spending your own money.
Senate Democrats were surprised the House passed a bill their big spenders had been supporting for 11 years. One commented, “After we pass this bill, I'm confident that we'll have no more partisan attack speeches about big government. . . so let's pass a good, stiff mandate, one that was not even included in Obamacare itself.”
This GOP–sponsored meddling in the health care market makes 58 separate policy requirements for insurance companies in Virginia and keeps a firm grasp on our ranking as the 5th most over–regulated state for insurance companies.
Del. Ben L. Cline (R-Rockbridge) — bless his heart — proposed an amendment that required insurers to offer autism coverage but allowed businesses to choose not to buy it. This would have minimized political meddling and allowed some market forces to work, but it was defeated.
Del. Kathy J. Byron (R-Lynchburg), another voice of sanity, said, “I think it's the worst possible time to start adding more mandates.''
Taking a cue from Nancy Pelosi, the law the House passed may not be legal. Del. Jackson H. Miller (R-Manassas) points out the bill only applies to some businesses, helps a limited number of families and he doesn't believe federal law allows the state to cap annual costs at $35,000.
The feds you see, don’t cotton to being compassionate on the cheap.
And mark my words; this is only the beginning. Lobbyists will be back claiming $35,000 a year isn’t enough, more children need to be covered and the mandate must be expanded.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t we just have an election where the number one issue was the repeal of Obamacare? Is the government–interference–in–health–care issue now past the sell–by date, so entrenched legislators can go back to socializing medicine on the installment plan?
Last November the Tea Party supported GOP candidates because Republicans were the most conservative major party option available. A few more votes like this and there is a real chance the Tea Party will decide to field its own candidates for office. This will split the Republican/conservative vote, but Tea Party members may opt to accept short-term pain as they work to build their party and elect genuine conservatives and not convenient conservatives.
In the meantime, I suggest Republicans in Richmond start checking their voice mail more often; because it’s evident they aren’t getting their messages.
