Their Own Medicine: Senators prefer the insurance they have

Wall Street Journal ^ | July 18, 2009 | Opinion

[jazusamo]

In the health debate, liberals sing Hari Krishnas to the "public option" -- a new federal insurance program like Medicare -- but if it's good enough for the middle class, then surely it's good enough for the political class too? As it happens, more than a few Democrats disagree.

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. Yet all Democrats -- with the exceptions of acting chairman Chris Dodd, Barbara Mikulski and Ted Kennedy via proxy -- voted nay.

In other words, Sherrod Brown and Sheldon Whitehouse won't themselves join a plan that "will offer benefits that are as good as those available through private insurance plans -- or better," as the Ohio and Rhode Island liberals put it in a recent op-ed. And even a self-described socialist like Vermont's Bernie Sanders, who supports a government-only system, wouldn't sign himself up.

[jazusamo]

Good for thee but not for me.

[combat_boots]

Yet all Democrats -- with the exceptions of acting chairman Chris Dodd, Barbara Mikulski and Ted Kennedy via proxy -- voted nay.

Sherrod F*n Brown. OHIO

I guess Kennedy voted 'no' on Kopechne 40 years ago today, too.

[EagleUSA]

Yet all Democrats — with the exceptions of acting chairman Chris Dodd, Barbara Mikulski and Ted Kennedy via proxy — voted nay.
::::::::
Could there possibly be any better HARD EVIDENCE that the power-grabbing nightmare of socialized medicine is really bad for those that must suffer it??? Ask Britain, ask Canada. Ask the DemoRats that won’t touch it - no they want to stay HEALTHY with their gold-plated, UNCONDITIONAL, infinite FREE health care paid for by the taxpayers.

The ideological sickness that is driving this egregious disaster must be stopped.

[jazusamo]

Agreed, it must be stopped.

I believe Zer0 is getting concerned, the more that is being made known the less people like it.

[browniexyz]

Just tell your congressional representative—all I want is the same plan you and your staff have!! And watch them back down—this is proof that Obamacare is NOT about health insurance...

[SteamShovel]

Could there possibly be any better HARD EVIDENCE that the power-grabbing nightmare of socialized medicine is really bad for those that must suffer it???

There is no better evidence than this.....

....."Free Health-Care" is neither, and the Senators know it.

[katiekins1]

I guess Kennedy voted ‘no’ on Kopechne 40 years ago today, too.

Are we the tax payers paying for Kennedy's *Top
Notch* medical treatment?
I would wager we are. Teddy
Should be Obama’s example of *Hospice Care*

Please Teddy..show America how to die with dignity at your own expense,not ours!

[Dubya]

They give up their health care and use what we use.

[The Wizard]

Congress MUST sign on to this or no one should

[Oldeconomybuyer]

This is all you need to know about ObamaCare.

[gwilhelm56]

OTHER WAY AROUND ...

YO OBAMMY!!! you want us to get behind your HEalthcare debacle??? ... Give us the same plan SENATE HAS .. or force them to take yours... OTHERWISE...

Fugedabowdit!!

[jazusamo]

Congress MUST sign on to this or no one should

Exactly!

[Dysart]

I smell the stench of hypocrisy all the way from Washington. Are you telling me the U.S. political elite have special HC provisions separate- and superior in every way- from the People whom they are foisting this catastrophic, unwanted legislation upon, and they fully intend to cling to it? *Shocked*

Here we have the biggest issue, imo, and I'm pleased to see someone else running with it. They need to answer off teleprompter to this. We should all demand it!

[katiekins1]

*Pay to Play in Reverse*
Its about time the RINO'S remove their heads from Barry's A$$!

[bboop]

Darned tootin’ if we get it, they have to have it. Else no deal.

Because that will mean NO DEAL.

[bboop]

Teddy should be being counseled about his ‘death choices’ — I understand that is also in this plan. And mandatory.

[KansasGirl]

The campaign commericials write themselves.

[Orange1998]

My thought too. This will never pass since Congress could not stomach the same plan.

[jazusamo]

Because that will mean NO DEAL.

Good point and you're right.

[bboop]

You know they will exclude themselves. And union members. And anyone who voted Democrat. And anyone on welfare. And ....