WATCH A GOP Congressman Say People Who Lead ‘Good Lives’ Should Pay Less Than Those With Pre-Existing Conditions

Sometimes I wonder: Do Republicans have to go out of their way to be complete jerks and jackasses or does it just comes naturally to most of them?

Mo Brooks is a GOP Congressman from Alabama, and according to him, the whole debate over whether or not to keep coverage for those with pre-existing conditions as Republicans continue to flail around for a repeal and replace bill that can get the votes they need to strip health insurance away from as many as 24 million Americans is easily solved: Let people who “lead good lives” and “have done the things to keep their bodies healthy” pay reduced premiums.

Appearing on CNN Monday afternoon, Brooks was asked about the fact that the current form of the new healthcare bill in the House would allow states to remove the pre-existing condition mandate, reminding him:

“This new legislation would allow states to opt-out, and allow insurance companies to refuse to sell insurance to people with pre-existing conditions, as long as there’s some set-up for them.”

Brooks replied:

“That’s not my understanding of the way the bill has been reframed. My understanding is that is that it will allow insurance companies to require people who have higher healthcare costs to contribute more.”

The Alabama Republican then went on to add that the new bill being considered for passage:

“[Reduces] the cost to people who lead good lives, they’re healthy, they’ve done the things to keep their bodies healthy, and right now, those are the people who’ve done things the right way.”

What about people who are born with congenital heart defects or juvenile diabetes? What about those who get cancer through no fault of their own? Is Congressman Brooks really this ignorant of the issue, or is he just trying to be the biggest asshole in Congress?

Brooks did finally concede that some people do have pre-existing conditions through “no fault of their own” (DUH!), and that in those cases a system should be in place to accommodate them. Did he offer any specifics for that situation? Nope. And that’s because he–along with plenty of other Republicans–doesn’t give a damn.

This article was originally published by the same author at LiberalAmerica.org

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