Top GOP Congressman Says ‘Rather Than Getting That New iPhone’ Americans Should Pay for Their Own Healthcare
‘Americans Have Choices. And They’ve Got to Make a Choice.’
Republicans Monday night released a 123-page bill to repeal Obamacare, but it turns out it doesn’t actually replace it with something better. In fact, the GOP’s new plan will cost Americans more, cost taxpayers more, provide less coverage, and force millions to lose their coverage.
In other words, it breaks Trump’s campaign promises. Bigly.
As far as affordability, forget it.Â
While President Barack Obama toured the country promoting Obamacare for years, telling people that in many areas they could buy a policy for less than they were spending on their cell phone monthly service, one GOP congressman has another take.
Republican Rep. Jason Chaffetz, the powerful chairman of the House Oversight committee, on the defensive, told the “Today” show Tuesday morning that, “You know what? Americans have choices. And they’ve got to make a choice. And so maybe rather than getting that new iPhone that they just love and they want to go spend hundreds of dollars on, maybe they should invest in their own healthcare.”
Jason Chaffetz: “maybe rather than getting that new iPhone … maybe they should invest it in their own health care” https://t.co/PO6FbkRAmh
— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) March 7, 2017
Some responses via Twitter:
you, a poor: “my children need medicine, please help”
me, a jason chaffetz: “have you thought about buying a flip phone instead?”
— Jamelle Bouie (@jbouie) March 7, 2017
Chaffetz himself, of course, feels no need to choose between having a phone and seeing a doctor. https://t.co/KkPyP123s8
— Amanda Marcotte (@AmandaMarcotte) March 7, 2017
chaffetz either has no idea how much healthcare costs or no idea how much an iphone costs https://t.co/LVyzuorbuW
— Max Read (@max_read) March 7, 2017
Staffer 1: And remember, don’t use that iPhone line.
Staffer 2: Yeah, we all agree it’s clever, but it won’t go over well.
Chaffetz: … https://t.co/Rx2LysEEqC
— Matt Fuller (@MEPFuller) March 7, 2017
Exciting news!
Jason Chaffetz can get your family health insurance for $600 every 2 years!!! You should call him! https://t.co/2Aw3xHjV8g— BadgerStew (@BadgerStew) March 7, 2017
Because “new smartphone” is just casual extra money we all have. Fuck you Chaffetz, you unfeeling selfish shitweasel. https://t.co/t4gWPW7leU
— Ann Leckie ☕ (@ann_leckie) March 7, 2017
…says a guy who has free healthcare paid for with tax payer dollars. Go home, Chaffetz, you’re drunk. https://t.co/Y2nqYUMjGV
— Mike Willette (@michaelwillette) March 7, 2017
@NewDay Chaffetz ‘ s comments about Americans giving up a new I phone to purchase their own insurance is condescending
— Doug Garvey (@garvey_doug) March 7, 2017
Rather than help the people who need it the most Chaffetz chose to misrepresent them as lazy & exploitative. He is the antithesis of empathy
— Trey Lawson (@T_Lawson) March 7, 2017
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