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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsArkansas state Rep pulls the wheelchair ramp up behind him
More than a decade ago, Arkansas Rep. Josh Miller (R) was in a catastrophic car accident that broke his neck and left him paralyzed. Medicare and Medicaid paid the $1 million bill for his hospitalization and rehabilitation.
But this week, as the Arkansas legislature has debated continuing its privatized Medicaid expansion under Obamacare, Miller has remained steadfast in his opposition.
The Arkansas Times highlighted the contrast in a Thursday report. The alternative newspaper reported that Miller receives ongoing coverage through the government programs, including Medicaid-covered personal care assistance.
The Times asked Miller, 33, about this apparent contradiction: Shouldn't someone who has experienced the benefits of health insurance, including insurance paid for by the government, understand the importance of expanding those benefits to others?
The difference, he said, is that some of the 100,000 people who have gained coverage through Arkansas's Medicaid expansion don't work hard enough or just want access to the program so they can purchase and abuse prescription drugs.
TPM
Typical "When I get government help it's deserved and necessary. When others receive government help they're taking advantage."
indepat
(20,899 posts)monmouth3
(3,871 posts)Manifestor_of_Light
(21,046 posts)Greg Abbott is AG and running for governor.
He's Wendy Davis' opponent.
A tree fell on him in 1984 while he was out jogging in West University Place in Houston (near Rice University).
He sued the homeowner and got $10 million in damages.
But as Bill Maher said,
"This is a man in a wheelchair who is against the Americans with Disabilities Act."
Abbott was also in favor of tort reform, which is limiting amounts of money damages that injured plaintiffs can get. Oftentimes the awards will not cover the injured plaintiff's medical bills, which means that
when the money runs out, the person is a burden on the taxpayers.
So it's OK to sue a homeowner and get $10 million if you're Greg Abbott, but it's not fair for the great unwashed to sue a responsible party for severe damages.
Capt. Obvious
(9,002 posts)DURHAM D
(32,617 posts)Basically he claims complete ignorance of the bill as the excuse for what he is doing.
He reminds me of the Senators in Arizona who voted for the religious freedom bill and then asked the Governor to veto it because they didn't understand what they had voted for.