An Open Letter to John McCain

[NanceGreggs]

Sir:

I understand that you are in touch with your Senate colleagues as you recuperate from surgery, and prepare for the course of treatment recommended by your doctors.

While I am happy to know you are feeling well enough to remain engaged in representing the citizens of your state, I would respectfully suggest that you also turn your mind to your fellow Americans who find themselves in life-threatening situations like your own, but do not have the healthcare coverage you have – coverage which, I would remind you, is paid for in full by taxpayers.

No doubt your wife and family are beside themselves with worry, facing the prospect of losing a beloved husband, father, grandfather. Imagine the plight of family members who can do nothing but accept the inevitable death of their husband, their father, their granddad because they cannot afford the treatment needed to prolong their loved one’s life due to not having the funds necessary to access the medical attention you are currently receiving.

During your last presidential campaign, you were quoted as saying you couldn’t recall how many homes you and your wife owned. Can you imagine what it’s like for the average, middle-class citizen who has struggled to maintain one home – a home they might lose, along with their life’s savings, due to overwhelming medical bills? Can you imagine what families go through when faced with losing everything they’ve worked their entire lifetimes to achieve, simply because a loved-one has been struck-down with a disease or medical condition that requires funds they are not in a position to pay?

As the debate over affordable healthcare continues to rage, I have heard some of your Republican colleagues preach that those who live a good and decent life are, by virtue of their exemplary lives, somehow immune from diseases like cancer – that such medical conditions are visited only upon those who have brought it upon themselves.

What I have not heard is your voice condemning such statements – and I cannot help but wonder if you believe that you are responsible for your own condition. I suspect you don’t – and I also cannot help but wonder why your voice was not raised on behalf of those who, like you, find themselves facing medical conditions they never invited nor deserve.

I wish you well. I hope that you have many more years left to you – years in which to bask in the love of your family, years in which to enjoy watching your children achieve their goals, years in which to see your grandchildren grow to adulthood.

But at the same time, I wish you would take a moment to recognize the devastation that your party members want to inflict on the citizens you purport to represent. I wish that you would ponder the impact of removing the only access many of your fellow citizens have to affordable healthcare insurance that would save their loved ones from certain death, and would save them from bankruptcy in the process. I wish you would consider the lives of those who can’t walk into a hospital and, like you, expect the best care money can buy – because they don’t have the money to pay for it, nor can they afford the insurance that would cover those expenses.

You have enjoyed the praise of those who have called you an American hero, a fighter who never gives up – praise that has often been well-deserved. But I believe the most heroic thing you can do right now is to reflect on your current situation, and stand up for those facing the same circumstances without the comfort of knowing that money doesn’t stand between them and life itself.

You are seen as a leader in your party, someone who influences the thoughts – and votes – of others. I am hopeful that a little self-reflection on your part can lead to true leadership, that recognizing the plight of those in your situation and speaking on their behalf can lead to a better understanding of what ordinary, hard-working citizens are facing on a daily basis.

I am happy to know you are ready, able, and willing to fight for your own life. Do you not think that now is also the perfect time to stand up and fight for the lives of others?

--- NanceGreggs

[rzemanfl]

1. Happy to be your first rec Nance. Well said. n/t

[Turbineguy]

2. Beautifully written.

And I hope he is around to do the "Senator Goldwater Ultimatum" on Trump.

[spanone]

3. K&R...

[sheshe2]

4. Thank you, Nance.

It is indeed a time for reflection.

[lordsummerisle]

5. Awesome, thanks n/t

[3catwoman3]

6. Well said.

As always.

[Leith]

7. Sigh... If Only

Beautiful piece, as always.

But I don't have enough confidence in McCain to realize that he is preventing millions of Americans from getting health care like he gets as a matter of course.

[BarbaraFritche]

51. He is a Vet, but is not in a Vet hospital.

I do not disparage him from getting the best care that his life time of service and payments to insurance entitles him to. But there is the nexus. "Our Betters" get better health care than they vote for the rest of us, including deserving veterans. May he heal to abide the rest of his years in the bosom of his family and loved ones. Yet let him resign, so that his constituents have an able representative in the Senate.

[bluecollar2]

8. well said...n/t

[The Wizard]

9. With pain comes awareness. (NT)

[volstork]

10. Hear, hear!

Excellent, as usual, Nance.

[33taw]

11. How do we know what healthcare he uses? He qualifies for Medicare and is a Federal Employee.

He may also pay privately. He may also get VA benefits as a result of serving in Vietnam and being a POW.

[NanceGreggs]

14. What we DO KNOW ...

... is that McCain is on-board with his GOP colleagues in their efforts to take affordable healthcare coverage away from their fellow citizens.

If McCain's treatment is covered through his position as a senator or his VA benefits, it doesn't change the fact that they are BOTH funded by taxpayers' dollars. And whatever additional private insurance he has paid for doesn't change the fact that he KNOWS his fellow citizens are not able to afford the kind of coverage he has - especially those who didn't marry money, like he did.

[LakeArenal]

37. Thanks so much for this...

I have been guilty in my own mind. Every time we talked about the "American Hero" being struck down and
his "Colleagues" expressing their support of this great individual... I have wanted to throw up. Wrong, I know. Thoughts of let him die have, have crossed my mind over and over. Then my angel side would warn, naughty, naughty. I was unable to analyze why I would wish anyone to die.

Your letter put it into words for me. My frustration of a man who was a hero decades ago, but certainly isn't a hero to me today..

You made me realize there is a chance, one minute chance... McCain might be a hero today. My cynicism says no... Your letter gave me hope.

Thanks, Nance.

[world wide wally]

38. Keep in mind that he needs a conscience to do that.

McCain has never paid one penny for health care in his entire life. So, there's that.

[sprinkleeninow]

40. Eloquence that you are known for. And, may I add an "Ah-men!"? eom

[Hekate]

17. My husband and I qualify for Medicare, but as he has a very good plan from his employer...

...that is what we will use until he really retires some day.

Senator McCain also has an excellent plan from his employer, Uncle Sam. I doubt he avails himself of anything else at this time.

[still_one]

27. Senator McCain is at the Mayo Clinic.

John McCain is over 65 so he gets Medicare, however, Congress members also have the following added benefits:

"Congress members "can continue to have Medicare coverage in addition to your employer-sponsored DC Health Link plan. The DC Health Link plan will be your primary coverage and Medicare will be secondary."

"Congress members also enjoy a sweet perk while in office -- access to the Office of the Attending Physician, a Capitol Hill clinic tasked with maintaining the well-being of lawmakers.

For only about $600 a year, Congress members are able to receive "routine care" such as X-rays, lab work and physical therapy, plus any urgent care required."

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-laz-congress-members-medicare-20160120-column.html

Congress members also receive a taxpayer-funded subsidy for two-thirds of their premiums because the law allows individual congressional offices to be counted as small businesses of 50 or fewer employees, and their employer is the federal government who provides that subsidy.

So yes, John McCain is subsidized by the taxpayers for his healthcare, not only in a 75% reduction in his premiums, but also other perks.


Here is a more generalized summary of the coverage the Congressional critters get:

"The ACA requires members of Congress and many congressional staffers to leave the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program and join the health-care exchanges in the District. Through the federal plan, lawmakers and their staff members had about 70 percent of their insurance premiums covered by the federal government.

But members and their staff members generally make too much money to qualify for subsidies in the exchanges, which were intended for people who previously did not get insurance from employers. So the Obama administration made an exception that allowed them to use the D.C. small-business exchange to receive health-care stipends from their employer (the federal government)."

In other words:

The law allows individual congressional offices to be counted as small businesses of 50 or fewer employees.

.....

"On the exchanges, members and staff members get an employer (i.e., taxpayer) contribution of 72 percent for their premiums. So this allowed them to receive a similar subsidy as they did under the federal health plan. Some members say they donate to charity an amount equivalent to the taxpayer-funded subsidy.

They receive a taxpayer-funded subsidy for two-thirds of their premiums."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2017/04/17/do-members-of-congress-pay-for-100-percent-of-their-health-insurance/



https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R43194.pdf

[sarge43]

46. As a military retiree, he's entitled to Tricare

which would pay in total for his cancer treatment. Yeah, he earned it, but wait, wouldn't that be an entitlement, worse socialized medicine? just in case.

There's also no pre-existing prohibitions with Tricare as most retirees have at least one.

[dalton99a]

12. Kick.

[Liberty Belle]

13. I hope you've actually sent it to him.

[angstlessk]

15. From your blog to McCain's ears!

Great letter...just hope he reads AND cares

[Hekate]

16. This is beautiful, Nance

I hope you send it to his office and/or an LTTE to the WaPo.

[lunamagica]

18. Beautiful. I hope he reads it

[James48]

19. Congressional Health Care is NOT free.

They have to pay for it.

They used to be covered by the same policies as other federal employees- but now have to purchase it on the Exchange.
They get 72% of the premium paid by their employer, but they are responsible for the balance, and they have ACA deductibles and copays. See https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2017/04/17/do-members-of-congress-pay-for-100-percent-of-their-health-insurance/
For details.

McCain also qualifies for Medicare, which is his primary care. Federal employees pay full price for their private insurance, even though Medicare is primary and their federal insurance is secondary.

Just saying...

[Merlot]

22. Oh wow, they pay for their insurance, that changes everything????

If mcpain and his colliges get their way, THEY will still have their health care. A lot of other pople won't. Since senators and congress critters all make six figure salaries I doubt that paying for health care makes a difference (plus a majority of congress critters are millionairs like mcpain). For people who are self-employed or part time or don't have coverage through their employer and DON'T make 6 figures, after the ACA is repealed they won't be able to afford coverage. Simple as that. They won't have the option of getting diagnosed and choosing treatments. They won't go to the doctor until it's to late because they don't want to get hit with huge medical bills.

While I appreciate Nance Greggs well written and thoughtful letter, I have less patience for rich people who call themselves public servants and want to take away insurance from middle class people.

If mcpain were outspoken against repealing the ACA I could have sympathy for his situation. Millions of people will get sick and not have the options he has and he doesn't care.

[still_one]

30. Having 72% of your premium cost footed by the government is a huge discount for them, and unlike the

regular citizen, that subsidy they receive for their premiums is not dependent on their income.

While John McCain gets Medicare, Congress members also have the following added benefits:

"Congress members "can continue to have Medicare coverage in addition to your employer-sponsored DC Health Link plan. The DC Health Link plan will be your primary coverage and Medicare will be secondary."

"Congress members also enjoy a sweet perk while in office -- access to the Office of the Attending Physician, a Capitol Hill clinic tasked with maintaining the well-being of lawmakers.

For only about $600 a year, Congress members are able to receive "routine care" such as X-rays, lab work and physical therapy, plus any urgent care required."

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-laz-congress-members-medicare-20160120-column.html

As mentioned, Congress members receive a taxpayer-funded subsidy for two-thirds of their premiums because the law allows individual congressional offices to be counted as small businesses of 50 or fewer employees, and their employer is the federal government who provides that subsidy.

So, John McCain is subsidized by the taxpayers for his healthcare, not only in a 75% reduction in his premiums, but also other perks, and he is not being penalized for pre-existing conditions

The myth that Congress Congress members pay for their own insurance is thrown all over the MSM all the time, but they conveniently neglect to mention the 72% premium subsidy, plus other benefits

[Scarsdale]

36. We could ALL wish to get

72% of our premiums paid for us!! ONLY 72%? No doubt the gop is working on reducing that, too. My 45 year old son died because of lack of medical care. I have zero sympathy for the clowns in DC.

[NBachers]

20. Very well written, Nance - heartfelt, perfectly nuanced, and no snark. But the jury's out on McCain.

I'm leaning a generous 65 / 35 that he continues upon his traditional path.

[orleans]

21. here comes debbie downer

yeah, yeah, yeah,
wasn't he planning on selling out MILLIONS of americans?

[Merlot]

23. As far as I know he was for repeal of the ACA

I never heard him say anything differently.

So yes, he IS planning on selling out millions of Americans. He may be sick and on chemo but he'll probably work his way back to the senate to cast the deciding vote to repeal the ACA. And he won't recognize the irony.

He doesn't care if millions of Americans get sick and die from preventable diseases or die painfully because of lack of treatment. He doesn't care about the people that survive with no money and mountains of debt.

Prove me wrong mcpain, go ahead. I'd be happy to eat crow on this one.

[still_one]

31. While McCain said he had concerns over the Medicaid aspect of the republican plan, his concerns were

not that great since he was willing to vote to move the republican healthcare plan forward for debate and a vote

McCain's voting record demonstrates time and again that even though he may express reservations on an issue, most of the time he votes with his party.

The myth of John McCain is that he is somehow a maverick, and the facts just don't support that

[Merlot]

33. Those "concerns" are media soundbites

mcpain is very good at working the media. He knows the news will carry his "concern" comment which covers him with moderate repubs. Then he votes excactly as any other conservative repub would.

[still_one]

34. exactly

[George II]

39. I think you missed the point of the OP.

[orleans]

56. actually i didn't

[Martin Eden]

24. I can't help but think what effect, if any, your letter would have

... on John McCain if he read it.

You have perfectly stated the moral case.

[Gabi Hayes]

25. Excellent! Is there any major figure that has

talked more talk and walked less walk?

Perhaps now that he confronts his final reckoning he'll get real and DO the right thing for once, instead of playing the maverick

All the best to you and most of your family, John, especially your first wife, carol, is it? You remember her. Don't you? Maybe start your final journey by making amends to her?

Then all the Keating investors whose life savings you helped that prick STEAL????

[BSdetect]

26. Sadly he will stay with his party despite this eloquence.

All repugnants undergo a compassion bypass when joining.

[still_one]

32. That issue what his past actions indicate

[Gothmog]

28. Great letter to John McCain

[gademocrat7]

35. K&Rnt

[niyad]

41. k and r and thanks for being spot on, as always.

[Jamaal510]

42. K&R

[ffr]

43. 99th Rec

Kicked!

[MyOwnPeace]

44. Normally, your comments.......

are "brains" and "balls." You show them the facts (brains) and kick 'em where they're screwing up (balls).

This posting, however, is another animal: "brains" and "heart." You're still providing the "brains" (which probably zooms over the head of MOST of the Repugs), but, you've gone to the "heart" to show compassion and understanding, which, I must say, will probably throw the Repugs into a total loss because they have NO CLUE!

Congrats - this is worthy of "THE BEST OF NANCE!"

[Jakes Progress]

45. He would do well for himself

to heed Nance's suggestions. His legacy of hero and maverick is currently in the dumper. He's often seen as a gripey old man who sounds off and then runs to suck up to republican leadership.

He could cement his place in history if he were to be the republican to stand up to and lead a battle against the crapsters who have taken over his party. If there are no honest or courageous republicans to follow, he would be the maverick who tried. If he actually led a revolt against the revolting that succeeded, he would begin to deserve the reputation he always wanted.

In the hopes that he would do the right thing, I will accord him temporarily what I don't give to other republicans and capitalize his name. I hope the best for John MaCain. My family has battled cancer. I echo Obama's wish that he beat the hell out of it. Then come back to do some good. He is in a unique position to do so.

[sarge43]

47. Well said, sir

If he did take a stand against that cruel, spiteful bill, then he'd be a true hero. Right now, he's just another Repug, "I got mine, screw you."

[smirkymonkey]

48. K&R

[BlancheSplanchnik]

49. Timely. Brava!

❤️👊🏾

[malaise]

50. K & R

Nice

[NastyRiffraff]

52. Beautifully written Nance

I only wish Senator McCain would read and listen. Judging from the past, though, it's unlikely he'll risk rocking the Republican boat. Still, I hope you sent it to him.

[Honeycombe8]

53. You need to shorten it, if you want a politician or staffer to read it. Otherwise, good.nt

[calimary]

54. And How, Nance.

And How.

That's what many of us thought - and articulated in every comment section I've seen since his cancer news broke. Multiple versions of - "he's lucky he has first-class health insurance coverage."

I wonder if any of that will filter down to him. And make any sort of impression.

[PBass]

55. Imagine the STRESS on a family going through this, without insurance coverage??? (NT)

[Meowmee]

57. Exactly

But I doubt we'll hear it from him. Why do we the employers of the gov let them get away with this thievery?

[Iggo]

58. Dear Senator McCain,

I'm sorry you're sick, and I hope you get better.

Other than that, you can respectfully go Fuck yourself.

Thank you,

Iggo.