Thanks to John Mallo for posing questions to Rep. Erik Paulsen; my hope is that we have the opportunity to hear or see thorough answers to these questions, and not by way of “phone” town meetings. Constituents like me would like to meet with him, perhaps in a real town hall meeting. It’s an important part of what it means to be a democracy.
I would like to add questions about an additional area of concern: health care legislation. Prior to the withdrawal of the Republican proposal (which I assume Paulsen would have voted for*) his position was: “After many years and countless stories of patients facing skyrocketing premiums, losing their health care plan and not being able to see their doctor, we are replacement Obamacare with a plan that will lower costs and give patients immediate relief.”
Really? Lower costs and immediate relief? This in spite of the estimate by the Congressional Budget Office that 24 million Americans would be left without insurance.
Two things (at least) should happen here: First, a real town hall meeting to discuss this along with other serious issues. Second, remember his positions and hold Paulsen accountable int he next election.
James A. Strom, Eden Prairie
Eden Prairie News, April 6, 2017
* Note: Rep. Paulsen did vote in favor of the bill in the Ways and Means Committee allowing it to come to the floor, without waiting for the Congressional Budget Office’s analysis of the proposed legislation’s impact on the public.