Gregg’s Health Care Solution: ‘If You Work For The Government, You’ll Have The Same Health Care I Have’
Gregg’s Health Care Solution: ‘If You Work For The Government, You’ll Have The Same Health Care I Have’
In recent days, Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) has been circulating a memo among his Republican colleagues, outlining the various tactics that the GOP can use to kill the health care legislation in the Senate.
Today, Gregg appeared on MSNBC’s Dr. Nancy, where he answered questions regarding his stance on health care reform. During one point in the interview, the MSNBC host asked the senator what he would say to Americans who don’t have the reliable health care coverage that he enjoys. He replied that anyone can have his health care coverage — if they would just work for the federal government:
DR. NANCY: So what do you say to the average American who has played by all the rules who can’t have the same health care you have, and you’re one of our elected officials?
GREGG: (laughs) Well, you know, if you work for the government, you’ll get the same health care I have. I mean, I have the same health care as a person who works for the Secret Service, who works for the FBI, or works down at the local federal building.
Watch it:
It’s puzzling that Gregg — who regularly slams “spending beyond our means for big government programs” — would say that anyone who wants health care coverage like his should simply work for the federal government. Certainly, Gregg wouldn’t advocate that we grow the size of government by employing the tens of millions of Americans who are uninsured in order to provide them health care. Or would he?
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“if you work for the government, you’ll get the same health care I have.”
Yeah who are we going to believe him or our lying eyes?
December 4th, 2009 at 5:10 pm.
Because nothing screams “SOCIALIST AGENDA” like forcing the private sector employees into unemployment just so that they too, can live off the public tit.
.
December 4th, 2009 at 5:10 pmJust shut the fck up gregg you lying piece of sht!!!
December 4th, 2009 at 5:11 pmJust a reminder – Here’s how Gregg felt in early 2006 when Repubs were still running the Senate:
“Obstruction has become the only thing which the other side of the aisle appears to be able to do, obstruction for the purpose of obstruction for the purpose of obtaining power around here.”
Now, he’s writing manuals on obstruction technique and smirking about it. People don’t get much more weaselly than that.
December 4th, 2009 at 5:12 pmSen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) = MORON!!
December 4th, 2009 at 5:15 pmSo can you explain why exactly employers should be responsible for the health coverage of their employees?
What’s the principle behind that?
December 4th, 2009 at 5:16 pmRepublicans are completely incapable of empathy. Can’t even think about, let alone understand, what it’s like not to be them. If they had any empathy, they wouldn’t be repubs.
December 4th, 2009 at 5:17 pm“What’s the principle behind that?”
Business helping other business to be middle-men between you and your health care for profit.
December 4th, 2009 at 5:19 pm.
Special Health Care for Congress: Lawmakers’ Health Care Perks
Little Known Office on Capitol Hill Provides Quality Medical Care for Low Price
By JAY SHAYLOR and MARK ABDELMALEK
Sept. 30, 2009
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/congress-health-care-clinic/story?id=8706655
December 4th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
@7. Can you explain exactly why taxpayers should be responsble for the health care of senators? Someone should ask Gregg that.
December 4th, 2009 at 5:21 pm.
Dear #5,
I did not spend five years in Collage to get a job as a Batista at Starbucks. They might have great coverage, but man, you are wacko.
.
December 4th, 2009 at 5:24 pmBut, Boehner just a few threads down says the Government doesn’t create jobs…
December 4th, 2009 at 5:26 pmceldem58,
December 4th, 2009 at 5:26 pmThe idea was…
… I scratch your back (tax payers taking care of Govt. Employees) and they, in turn, will scratch us back. I’m still waiting for the scratching to begin.
Well at lease we know what the GOP really means. The don’t care about the people they represent only themselves. It will be interesting to see the election results and if people are willing to vote for a candidate who only wants the job for himself and what he can get.
December 4th, 2009 at 5:26 pmI admire your intellect, really..
Don’t worry, you will never be denied.
December 4th, 2009 at 5:26 pm.
Q U E S T I O N:
HOW MANY STATE LINES CAN GREGG CROSS TO FIND A PRIVATE PLAN THAT FITS HIS NEEDS?
.
December 4th, 2009 at 5:32 pmGot this email below to sign up in support of this amendment. Congress and gov’t workers should be entitled to more than Americans who don’t work for the gov’t. This may be on the earlier thread, but it should be repeated anyway. Call the rs on their political stunt!
Please pass this on!!
On Tuesday, the Senate health committee voted 12-11 in favor of a two-page amendment courtesy of Republican Tom Coburn that would require all Members and their staffs to enroll in any new government-run health plan. It took me less than a minute to sign up to require our congressmen and senators to drink at the same trough! Three cheers for Congressman John Fleming of Louisiana !
Congressman John Fleming ( Louisiana physician) has proposed an amendment that would require congressmen and senators to take the same healthcare plan they force on us (under proposed legislation they are curiously exempt).
Congressman Fleming is encouraging people to go on his Website and sign his petition (very simple – just first, last and email). I have immediately done just that at: http://fleming.house.gov/index.html .
December 4th, 2009 at 5:36 pmPlease urge as many people as you can to do the same!
If Congress forces this on the American people, the Congressmen should have to accept the same level of health care for themselves and their families.
.
Federal Employees Health Benefits Program
http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/
.
December 4th, 2009 at 5:36 pmOops…
Congress and gov’t workers should not be entitled to more than Americans who don’t work for the gov’t.
December 4th, 2009 at 5:37 pmuh-oh juddster,
i think the Independent voters were listening…
…you forgot about them again, didn’t you?
judd seems to be workin real hard on making New England a R-free zone. i should get a thank you note out to him…
December 4th, 2009 at 5:39 pm… employing the tens of millions of Americans who are uninsured in order to provide them health care. …
i’ll take that job…
oh, by the way – you might remember a story i told about my insurance rates going up 25%, and the company told me i could re-apply to get into a lower rate pool, and promised that they would not cancel me…
i got into the lower rate pool… saving about $100/month…
basically going back to what i paid in 06-07…
i should have brought this up sooner, it may have helped someone to talk to their company and try it…
but then, my company brought it up when the renewal letter came out in october so that seems an upstanding policy…
i’m just glad it worked…
December 4th, 2009 at 5:39 pm.
Health Care for U.S. Congress
Politicians Receive the Country’s Best Care – at Taxpayers’ Expense
Oct 11, 2008 R.H. Sheldon
http://public-healthcare-issues.suite101.com/article.cfm/health_care_for_the_us_congress
December 4th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
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A N S W E R:
50
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December 4th, 2009 at 5:41 pmOMG — these guys incoherent about health care, – they are are on their way to apoplexy.
What an unthinking moron!
December 4th, 2009 at 5:41 pmAll Taxpayers WORK for the Government.
December 4th, 2009 at 5:41 pmHe works for us! What employer gives his employees better benefits than his own?
December 4th, 2009 at 5:42 pmSo, Mr Republican Senator whose party stands for smaller government, why are you saying this?
Is it because you believe that if americans don’t have to worry about health care like you things will get better?
I’m sorry sir, but are you saying you can better serve the public that elected you if you don’t have to worry about your own families health care?
Is this while you say the rest of America needs to worry about health care?
December 4th, 2009 at 5:42 pmIt is time to put our arrogant representatives to the test.
We should ask all of them to voluntarily suspend their government provided health care and make their own health care arrangements. They, because of their money and privilege, will have little problem making such arrangements but they should develop a better understanding of what the issues affecting other citizens of our nation.
December 4th, 2009 at 5:45 pm“if you work for the government, you’ll get the same health care I have.”
However, isn’t the Neocon plan to shrink govt till it drowns in a bathtub ? Wouldn’t this guarantee that first govt would be laying off folk (and not hiring) and eventually not have any employees.
So you’re telling me to get a govt job while making sure govt doesn’t have jobs.
December 4th, 2009 at 5:46 pmThe degree of indifference and nonchalance being displayed toward the American people by a number of Republican Congresscritters is positively astounding — and I cannot understand for the life of me why some of these people have not already been thrown out on their backsides by the voters in their individual states, since it is the Congresscritters who are supposed to be answerable to the voters rather than vice versa! People who don’t have insurance and need medical treatment are simply told to go to the emergency room — so what if you have to declare bankruptcy or if you end up dying because the cost of your treatment is higher than you can afford? Likewise, people who want good health insurance coverage are simply told that they should go get jobs with the government even though most Republicans claim to be opposed on principle to big government. It’s precisely attitudes like these which lead me to conclude that the phrase “compassionate conservatism” is almost always an oxymoron. These people receive a salary of more than three times the median income and receive their health care at the taxpayer expense, for crying out loud, despite the fact that there’s reason to believe the Founding Fathers never intended Congress to become a lifelong career…you’d think that the very least these people could do is show a little freaking gratitude, even if they can’t quite manage compassion. If these Republican Congresscritters are incapable of doing their jobs and showing respect for the concerns of the people whom they’re supposed to be representing…THROW THE BUMS OUT!!!
December 4th, 2009 at 5:46 pmThis is the idiot Obama wanted in his cabinet?
December 4th, 2009 at 5:48 pmBut wait, I thought that government jobs weren’t jobs!
They really need to get their game plan in order.
December 4th, 2009 at 5:49 pmSo this Senator is behind the idea of opening his health care to all Americans? I think most of us would agree to access to the same plans at the same rates our representatives have.
Its a start.
December 4th, 2009 at 5:50 pmSince our representatives in Congress are elected by the people it makes sense that whatever health care options they have should be available to all of their constituents.
By all means, sir. Open the doors.
December 4th, 2009 at 5:53 pmgregg just may be obama’s only real mistake…
waiting to see how the spokes-barbi perino pans out…
she CAN’T be as dangerous… can she…?
December 4th, 2009 at 5:53 pmpeterjkraus
December 4th, 2009 at 5:53 pmKeep your friends close and your enemies closer.
These statements by Gregg were not as interesting as when Dr. Nancy cornered him on his “ways to stall” memo. He squirmed when she pursued the line of questioning. Gregg did his best to minimize it but she did not let him off.
December 4th, 2009 at 5:54 pmThis is one of best TP posts ever: short, to the point and perfect illustration of ugly core of Repub. party.
Gregg’s cynicism just makes your jaw drop. A true bastard. The sick part is he’s proud of it.
December 4th, 2009 at 5:54 pmWait, so would that mean the government actually creates job?
December 4th, 2009 at 6:00 pmThese Senators and Representatives and most of them are millionairs,specially Republicans,will never ask who is going to pay for their own health bills and their families.
December 4th, 2009 at 6:04 pmOnly when an average American asks for the same benefits, they all cry:
“WHO IS GOING TO PAY FOR IT”?!!,and the money becomes scare.
Gregg answer was not direct and he tried to dance around the issue.
Just why is it that an insurance pool of 550 or so members gets such good rates?
December 4th, 2009 at 6:09 pmI am a retired Federal Government employee. I worked 31 years for the FedGov. But, Gregg is being a bit disingenuous when he says you will have the same health care as he if you work for the FedGov. I was in the low grades of the GS Schedule, which means that I could not afford the health care program he probably has. He probably has the most expensive with the best coverage. He is (as all the members of Congress are) independently wealthy and can afford any thing. However, any of us in the low grades with only our FedGov salary as our source of income could not even think about the higher priced, better coverage plans offered. The Feds are offered probably about 20-30 different plans once a year. You select the plan you can afford. Throughout my whole career I was never able to afford at least 10 of the plans in the program. Thus, I normally had Kaiser Permanente, an HMO, that had its good points but was not the best available plan. Also, health care, annual/sick leave, retirement benefits, etc., were created to give people an incentive to work for the FedGov because the salaries are not comparable to the private industries (except, of course, in Congress). I just want to point out that every FedGov employee is not in the same financial situation as ANY of the members of Congress.
December 4th, 2009 at 6:17 pmI thought Repiggies had disdain for “government jobs.”
What’s up with that?
December 4th, 2009 at 6:28 pm“Let the commoner eat cake” before her head was lopped off.
Maybe this is why the Republicans hate the French, because the French knew how to deal with an arrogant aristocracy.
December 4th, 2009 at 6:30 pmthis guy is on crack..
He’s advising getting a job in the government to get health insurance?… this is just nonsense.
December 4th, 2009 at 6:33 pmHooda,
We, The People carry 75% of the cost of CongressCare.
We carry the bulk of the load and Congress, in return, kick us in the nuts as their “thanks”.
December 4th, 2009 at 6:34 pmI like how Gregg just laughs off the plight of the “little people.”
He doesn’t even appreciate how good he has it, and holds the rest of us in contempt.
December 4th, 2009 at 6:35 pmIt’s just breathtaking how stupid these people are.. If for one second anyone thinks he or any of his colleagues care about anything but keeping their BRIBE STREAM alive, they are kidding themselves real bad…
December 4th, 2009 at 6:37 pmMy god: Obama actually offered this Whack Job a seat in his cabinet?
W. T. F.
December 4th, 2009 at 6:45 pmOT.. for humor value..
I just saw a Palin supporter hoping she runs for President in 2010.
=)
lol
December 4th, 2009 at 7:05 pmPeace Through Superior Firepower
Yeah, we get the point – you hate everyone except your Klan friends — no one cares to hear it.. I’m quite sure your shitty attitude has resulted in an equally miserable life.
and no, you saying otherwise won’t convince me.
STFU.
December 4th, 2009 at 7:08 pmPeace Through Superior Firepower says:
as to anyone’s qualifications – you wouldn’t know.
stop pretending to know things.
it only makes you look dumb, and prompts people to laugh at you.
December 4th, 2009 at 7:10 pmlux,
December 4th, 2009 at 7:11 pmYou think she stands a chance?
.
Dear Peas through Stupid Power,
When you say, “Screw them,” how are you looking out for your compatriots?
Why do you hate Americans so, that you would prefer to see them suffer and die?
Is that Compassionate Conservatism at work?
.
December 4th, 2009 at 7:15 pmSociopathic troll: “Screw them.”
We shouldn’t be surprised. Psychologists and researchers estimate that up to 20% of the population could be technically classified as sociopaths. And studies consistently show that the modern conservative movement is attractive to sociopaths and people with schizophrenia.
Luckily, the demographics are still moving in a slightly Democratic direction and the modern conservative movement is basically in shambles with potential third and fourth party sub-movements in full swing. You can tell by this unfortunate troll that they’re getting bitter.
December 4th, 2009 at 7:16 pmI would like to see a bill that said everyone gets on the government health exchange, with the same stipulations government workers have.
Yes universal health care would be awesome but let’s face it there is no way that’s happening anytime soon. There are too many people screwing that up.
December 4th, 2009 at 7:21 pm.
Dear Sen. Gregg,
Aetna Forcing 600,000-Plus To Lose Coverage In Effort To Raise Profits
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/04/aetna-forcing-600000-plus_n_380130.html
… Are YOU hiring?
December 4th, 2009 at 7:23 pmHow does #51 type out that hate filled screed using his knuckles.
December 4th, 2009 at 7:24 pmPeace Through Superior Firepower @ 52
——————————————————————————–
J. Fred Smug says:
——————————————————————————–
My god: Obama actually offered this Whack Job a seat in his cabinet?
W. T. F.
This “whack job” is more qualified than obama to be president.
??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
December 4th, 2009 at 7:25 pmHey peace,
I guess voting for GW Bush sets your track record, and makes you an authority.
Peace @ 51,
I notice you use superior in you name.
I am curious, what makes you so superior?
Was it your comment @ 51? Superior intelligence I assume.
You know what they say about assuming?
December 4th, 2009 at 7:32 pmGREGG: (laughs) Well, you know, if you work for the
governmentlobbyists, you’ll get the same health care I have.There, fixed it.
December 4th, 2009 at 7:37 pmSkyler at 7:24 pm
How does #51 type out that hate filled screed using his knuckles.
You wouldn’t think they would be so dexterous after so much knuckle-dragging, would you?
December 4th, 2009 at 7:37 pmDr Nancy made him squirm on several counts, which shows how vulnerable he is. He talks like he’s cool, committed,and all knowing, but if you hit him on the needs and concerns of the average American, he waffles. Maybe he has a conscience? Who knows, but he’s dangerous because he’s articulate and slick if he’s allowed to ramble on. But doesn’t that describe all of the Repub-slickers?
December 4th, 2009 at 7:38 pmlux says:
December 4th, 2009 at 7:43 pm“I just saw a Palin supporter hoping she runs for President in 2010.”
From low information voter to no information voter.
Yikes.
benji85,
Vitter, Coburn Public Option Bluff Called By Democrats (VIDEO)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/04/vitter-coburn-public-opti_n_380933.html
:)
December 4th, 2009 at 7:48 pmHe just shouts it at his sweatshop child laborer, who then types it for him.
December 4th, 2009 at 8:14 pmActually, Federal hiring is a very good idea. During the bush Admin most of the Federal agencies were defunded, or had funds drastically cut. The more useful and productive the agency, the worse it was treated. This how they “proved Government doesn’t work”
December 4th, 2009 at 8:29 pmPeace Through Superior Firepower says:
…it’s only the few loser bums who dropped out of high school to smoke dope that are uninsured. Screw them.
And you don’t foresee any problems with the GOP ever getting elected again in this country with that as your platform? A combination of verifiably false premises and an attitude I can only describe as “evil” does not make for an attractive political philosophy. See y’all at the polls.
December 4th, 2009 at 9:22 pmJudd Gregg channeling Chuck Grassley?
December 5th, 2009 at 12:23 amThe difference between some Secret Service schlub and Senator Gregg’s health care is that he is a SENATOR! He’s an important member of the elite ruling class. They would mobilize the entire Capitol Police and block off the streets to get him to the hospital- and that would be Bethesda NAVAL Hospital, a GOVERNMENT-RUN (ie, socialist) hospital. But a typical “government worker?” They’d dump him in whatever ER was not on divert.
December 5th, 2009 at 12:47 amFrom Zaid’s post;
“It’s puzzling that Gregg — who regularly slams “spending beyond our means for big government programs” — would say that anyone who wants health care coverage like his should simply work for the federal government. Certainly, Gregg wouldn’t advocate that we grow the size of government by employing the tens of millions of Americans who are uninsured in order to provide them health care. Or would he?”
Well, he might advocate Federal hiring under a Republipimp administration. Do keep in mind that the executive controls most Federal hiring and Defense recruiting; Congress just appropriates the money for the payroll budget. Democratic hiring and recruiting is very objectionable to Republipimps and their conservative allies, but Republipimp hiring is necessary for the national security and to provide sinecure
December 5th, 2009 at 1:06 ampositions for their conservative allies.
I would love to work for the Federal Government (actually I would love to work period). Perhaps Mr. Gregg can tell me where I can find that government job just waiting for me.
What in the hell did Obama see in this clown?
December 5th, 2009 at 1:30 pmI want to thank the Obama administration for their health care nonsense. I have Blue Cross. Yesterday, out of the blue, I got a letter saying my health insurance premimum was going up because of “higher costs” effective Jan. 1, 2010. … going up a huge 17.75% per month. Funny, I have been an ideal customer for the past 9 years. I have filed zero health claims in that time. But, it didn’t matter. Jeez, didn’t know inflation was so high. … Nah. Obviously, Blue Cross knows they are going to get hammered with Obama Care. So time to jack up the rates ahead of the madness when the getting is good. … Those with personal health policies are going to get screwed. Costs are going to go up not down as promised. Rationing is next. … Status quo would have worked for me. … Thanks for nothing. …
December 5th, 2009 at 3:25 pmThat fine Senator Gregg.
Unfortunately, I and millions of other people DO NOT WORK FOR THE GOVERNMENT!!!
December 5th, 2009 at 5:17 pmFunny, I didn’t peg Gregg to be a Communist.
December 6th, 2009 at 5:11 pmMr Duke
I want to thank you for being such an ignorant pile of dogshit and posting this same bit of stuidity in several threads. I DO love to laugh at morons as stupid as you
December 7th, 2009 at 7:57 am