Rep. John Fleming Asks His Colleagues To 'Put Their Money Where Their Mouth Is' On Health Care

Louisiana Rep. John Fleming (R) has put up a guest post at TownHall, in which he professes to be "amazed at the number of bureaucrats in this House who are quick to claim a government-run health care plan is the reform this country needs." I'm not sure why he's so amazed by this. The public option is astoundingly popular with the American people. I'm rather amazed that so many of the people's representatives, on both sides of the aisle, seem to be ignorant of this.

That said, Fleming makes a good point here:

In response to this, I have offered a resolution that will offer members of Congress an opportunity to put their money where their mouth is, and urge their colleagues who vote for legislation creating a government-run health care plan to lead by example and enroll themselves in the same public plan.

Under the current draft of the Democrat health care legislation, members of Congress are curiously exempt from the government-run health care option, keeping their existing health plans and services on Capitol Hill. If Members of Congress believe so strongly that government-run health care is the best solution for hard working American families, I think it only fitting that Americans see them lead the way. Public servants should always be accountable and responsible for what they are advocating, and I challenge the American people to demand this from their representatives.

I can definitely see the merits in this. Legislators should lead by example, and it would be comforting to see some of them throwing in their lot with the American people.

But turnabout is fair play, isn't it? If public servants should "always be accountable and responsible for what they are advocating," then those who believe that the current health care system and health insurance models truly are "the best in the world," should jolly well forswear the insurance plan they receive from the taxpayers and join the rest of us in the world of private insurance. There are over 1,000 options from which to choose!

See, to my mind, one of the problems we face as Congress crafts these policies for the rest of us, is that Congresscritters are a terribly overcoddled class of people. Their needs are provided for by us, and they've added a ton of advantages that all but assure their re-election. And even on the rare occurrence where they lose their jobs, there's a whole panoply of welfare awaiting them in the worlds of lobbying and corporate boards and think tanks. Unlike most U.S. citizens, they live in what can accurately be described as a consequence-free environment, and I think the country would be far better off if our elected officials and their families were the first to be drafted in war, and the last to be insured in health.

So, this Fleming fellow's call for his colleagues to demonstrate some stern stuff moves me, powerfully! Here's my email, you private insurance fans in Congress! Please drop me a line and tell me all about how you're going to give up your Congressional benefits and enroll in private insurance. You public option supporters should do the same! Let me know, and I shall very proudly publicize your commitment to the world.

Representative Fleming, why don't you start?

[H/T: Sahil Kapur]

[Would you like to follow me on Twitter? Because why not? Also, please send tips to [e-mail] -- learn more about our media monitoring project here.]

Get HuffPost Politics On Facebook and Twitter!

Comments

[ReedYoung]

Wow! He must have thought nobody would listen to what he was saying.

[rich misty]

Good article.

[bobrobthomas]

I have a "modest proposal" of my own, basically the corralary of Mr. Linkin's suggestion. Put all elected and appointed federal workers on MEDICAID!! Remember that cash-starved, underfunded program that supplies medical coverage (just barely) to those who most need it. The program that returns $ 9 long term for every dollar invested in it short term. I bet those who most need coverage would suddenly not be sitting in emergency rooms waiting to be underserved. Suddenly adequate care would be a right (Like it is for our federal elected officials.)

[deusvitae]

Thank you for this-- this is exactly what I have been thinking. If government healthcare is so bad, and no one wants a government bureaucrat between them and their doctor, why do the reps and senators themselves stay on government healthcare and maintain the bureaucrats?

[Driver125]

Well there, Congressman, you could also go at it from the other angle and give all Americans the coverage that you have instead of you people joining us in whatever little plan you scrape together for the public......

[LucieLee]

I agree. But the irony of it all is the fact that Congress' health care is basically government run.......what we the people want is the government option, but it will never all the perks that those in Congress have.....those selfish coots!!

[miriamfl]

These clowns in Washington don't have to make things so difficult. We just want exactly what they have period.

[MaryOK]

It's not affordable. Thjat's why the public will never get the congressional plan. They are going to pass some sort of health care bill that exempts themselves. Bet on it.

[sweepstop]

The author says that Obama's healthcare plan is overwhelmingly popular. Rasmussen says that its a 50-45 split in favor. Hardly overwhelming. What source does the author have for saying this? Or is it simply another case of a reporter mistaking their own opinions for facts?

[brschwar]

the reporter was referring to the poll that said that 76% of the American Public favor a choice between private insurance and a government option.

as much as it pains me to post this link, i was able to find it on the Drudge report so it must be true!
http://www.drudge.com/news/122203/poll-76-want-public-option-health-care

[underoath]

He has a good point and i think the DEM leader's should take him up on it.

[miriamfl]

Who is making a good point, Fleming or the reporter? Pres Obama campaigned on a public plan like the one they have in Washington so they would not have to switch if they would only give us what we deserve which is what they already have. Now if we do not get a public option then their plans which we pay for should be cancelled and they should be forced to go into a private for profit healthcare coverage and pay what most of us pay.

[jian1312]

Why don't we demand that they do away with health care coverage for Congress altogether? That sure will make them think twice about how to reform health care.

[WmC]

Exactly. If congos had to buy their own dam coverage, most of 'em would probably go for the public option. By the same token, if congress will pick up the tab for MY health insurance (as we pick up the tab for theirs) I won't care a whole lot if there is no public option.

[BarryS]

Rep Fleming: show us the way by dumping your gold-plated socialized medicine plan you get as a representitive and buying your family PRIVATE insurance. Agree in advance that you and you family will not get special treatment from the rest of us, and if any of you do [e ven a very sick child], you will agree to be indicted as a bribe-taker. Then I will believe what you say.

Oh yes, you MUST pay the actual price we do, including the 1000% surcharge for preexisting conditions like hangnail, scraped knees and colds.

I'm waiting. Let's go on Larry King and you do it their.

[DrHuffington]

No more debate on the Public Plan here. All the Democrats have to do is agree that all of congress and their families be subject to the Public Health Plan and it's a done deal.

Well libs?.......This is what you wanted. Ask your Reps to follow through and it should be passed by the end of next week.

[spandautoseattle]

Public health care works in way too many countries in the world, usually accompanied by the option to get a private insurance if it is wished so. To once again create horror stories about is simply disingenuous. And it neglects the health care needs of about a sixth of the population in the US which is uninsured right now.

[TovSquirrel]

Dump Congress' health coverage. Let them shop around for some.

Also put them into the social security pool and remove that "retirement package" that is footed by the taxpayers.

Bunch of wh0ring hypocrites.

Vote out the existing players and replace them with anything but a Democrat or a Republican.

No change until you change the parties running things.

[ekrub]

I have a better idea.

Ask all congressman voting against universal health coverage to forego all health insurance, spouses and children included.

[WinterParkMom]

Agreed, go a little further, have every elected official give up their government provided care and pay for their own out of their own pockets UNTIL every AMERICAN is able to have access to an affordable option.

PUBLIC OPTION NOW!!!
Look at hard numbers and forward to all dems.
47 million uninsured, 20 million underinsured. Subtract 10 million uninsured poor, leaves 37 million who can pay, divide that in half: 18.5million can only afford $50, 18.5 mill can afford $100, the under insured can afford $100 and get rid of their private carrier.

18.5 mill @ $50 = $925,000,000.
18.5 mill @ $100 = $1,850,000,000
20 mill @100 = $2,000,000,000.
Grand total = $4,775,000,000

That is FOUR BILLION, SEVEN HUNDRED SEVENTY FIVE MILLION DOLLARS PER MONTH in just affordable premium payments. That's OVER FIFTY SEVEN BILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY, just from uninsured and under insured. That does not count the countless millions who will drop their rapists to come to a public option. Then factor in that the majority of folks will be getting preventive care, not sickness treatments (less payout to a doctor for a checkup than say dialysis)

We should also introduce a 1 penney sin tax on fast food, food/drinks with high fructose corn syrup and every bottle/glass of alohol. These are just as bad for the health as cigarettes and paying a dollar for a burger instead of 99cents isn't going to put anyone into the poorhouse.

Pass these numbers on

[miriamfl]

I think that 1cent tax should be charge on everything one purchases and it could go to a healthcare account nationwide it does not have to be just a sin tax, this way everyone that makes a purchase would be contributing.

[bobrobthomas]

I would like to amend your suggestion for a "sin" tax on tobacco, alcohol, fast food and high fructose sugers. Not a tax, but a contribution to a fund to pay for the health conditions caused by them. THEN, remove coverage of the medical complications of said "sins" and pay for them from the aformentioned fund. No health insurer would have to pay for emphasima/lung cancer/heart conditions in cronic smokers. Neither would all the cronic effects of alcoholism or use be covered. Neither would the effects of cronic obesity/type II diabetus be covered except from this fund. The 80% reduction in healthcare costs would be passed on to those who do not engage in self distructive behaviors.
PS: I would also like to see the idiots who ride motercycles without a helmet be required to carry insurance to cover brain injuries from their collective stupidity since niether their regular health/motercycle insurance or the state would pay.

[miriamfl]

Second that!

[Blufftonian]

Making sure every American has access to high quality leaf pick-up is one of the most important challenges of our time. The number of leaf encumbered Americans is growing, lawn decay is skyrocketing, and more people are being denied leaf pick-up every day. A moral imperative by any measure, a better system is also essential to rebuilding our economy -- we want to make leaf pick-up work for people and businesses, not just for lawn care conglomerates and the wealthy.

YES WE CAN!