Category: The Real Erik Paulsen

Paulsen’s claptrap

Paulsen’s claptrap counterpoint attempts to justify his support for the health care bill recently passed in the House. Much that he wrote is simply wrong. But what he does not say is more telling. He does not admit that the bill robs Medicaid of $880 billion over the next 10 years, threatening the health of millions of lower-income folks. Along with other changes like conversion of Medicaid into state block grants, health care will be rationed for a good slice of America. Paulsen also remains silent about enormous tax cuts the bill offers to our wealthiest folks. Here is the heart of the bill: a massive transfer of wealth from poorer people to richer people. The perfect Republican bill. Paulsen cannot defend this reverse Robin Hood policy, so his counterpoint just ignores it. Needless to say, he also continues to ignore his constituents, refusing to meet with them in a public setting. No wonder.

Edward Plaster, Edina
Minneapolis Star Tribune, May 10, 2017

Congressman, please hear us out, too.

I would like to thank U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen for his editorial counterpoint on health policy changes in America (“My health care vote will put Minnesotans back in control,” May 9, responding to “A costly step back for U.S. health care,” May 7). As a cancer survivor (pre-existing condition) and self-employed person who buys health insurance on the individual market, I am following this issue very closely. I don’t agree with Paulsen’s vote in the House last week to “repeal and replace” major parts of the Affordable Care Act, but I appreciate getting some understanding of his reasoning. I fully agree with the sentiment in his closing paragraph: “At the same time, we must continue to have a thoughtful discussion on solutions that will provide high-quality, affordable health care coverage.” I respectfully submit that this is what Paulsen’s constituents have been requesting for years. I know many of his constituents — including fellow cancer survivors and caregivers — who are concerned and want desperately to have “thoughtful discussions” with him, but he will not hold town hall meetings. Please have real dialogue about this issue with your constituents in a truly open forum, congressman. It’s important, it’s serious, and your constituents deserve it.

Karen Laumb, St. Louis Park
Minneapolis Star Tribune, May 10, 2017

#QuestionableVotes Paulsen Vote Tracker: HR487 Better Care, Low Cost Act

Summary:  Introduced to the House on March 23, 2016, this is an amendment to the existing Medicare/Medicaid Rules. In the Republican-controlled House members’ eyes it is intended to bring to the forefront chronic injuries and illnesses and making sure that as they call it “BCP”‘s (Better Care Program”) is available to those who qualify. It lists MANY situations and conditions and coverages that seem to apply only to certain people based on Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D.

Takeaway:  Rep. Paulsen voted for this amendment.  While there doesn’t appear to be any major wording changes from what’s already law, the most recent Medicare coverage booklet was release in October of  2016.

Although this bill died,  it’s worth re-reading your booklets.ANYONE, who is on Medicare or Medicaid  should review their booklet to become completely aware of what does affect you based in your situation.

 

Trumpcare’s Medicaid Cutbacks Will Bring The Real Death Panels

The following article by Joe Conason was posted on the National Memo website May 8, 2017:

The real death panels are coming.

Back in 2009, during the shrill hours of debate over the Affordable Care Act, Sarah Palin warned us solemnly that defenseless Americans “will have to stand in front of Obama’s ‘death panels’ so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgment of their ‘level of productivity in society,’ whether they are worthy of health care.”

Many a snooty elitist dismissed those ominous Facebook pronouncements by the former Alaska governor and Republican vice-presidential nominee, but she was hardly alone in uttering such predictions. Palin and many others on the right claimed that President Obama’s struggle to expand health coverage — considered a human right in most of the modern world — was really a nefarious plot to save money by rationing care. All too soon, some tribunal in Washington, D.C. was bound to condemn Grandma to a cruel and untimely doom to save a few bucks. Continue reading “Trumpcare’s Medicaid Cutbacks Will Bring The Real Death Panels”

Tevlin: Dear Reps. Paulsen, Emmer and Lewis, spare us the crowing over your ‘health’ bill

The following column was posted on the Star Tribune website May 6, 2017:

With America in a health care crisis, the solution shouldn’t be winning the lottery.

Demonstrators gathered at the Burnsville offices of Minnesota Republican Congressman Jason Lewis in the wake of his health care vote on Thursday.

Dear Reps. Erik Paulsen, Tom Emmer and Jason Lewis:

Thank you so much for your news releases praising the passage of the American Health Care Act. This is the first time in my career that I have received political suicide notes from sitting members of Congress.

Congratulations for taking ownership of America’s health care crisis. As Rep. Emmer phrased it, “This is what President Trump campaigned on and what he asked for, and the House has delivered.” Continue reading “Tevlin: Dear Reps. Paulsen, Emmer and Lewis, spare us the crowing over your ‘health’ bill”

Paulsen’s constituents support Planned Parenthood

To the editor:

The March 17 article “AHCA: Rep. Erik Paulsen Weighs in on Republican Health Care Bill” concluded with Congressman Paulsen’s statement that he plans to continue regularly taking feedback from his constituents on important legislative issues.

Although the American Health Care Act was withdrawn, I hope Congressman Paulsen still intends to consider his constituents’ views on crucial health care matters, particularly in forthcoming votes concerning the federal budget. The congressman should remember that defunding Planned Parenthood is both dangerous and unpopular, as multiple peaceful protests at his district office have already demonstrated. Continue reading “Paulsen’s constituents support Planned Parenthood”

‘Sleep well tonight’: After Trumpcare vote, Rep. Erik Paulsen’s Facebook page is a shitshow

The following article by Mike Mullen was posted on the CityPages website May 5, 2017:

GOP U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen is one of many members of Congress who are avoiding constituent town halls for the time being.


Congressman Erik Paulsen, on Election Night in 2016. It appears some voters in the 3rd Congressional District do not like his support of Trumpcare
Jeff Wheeler, Star Tribune

And, let us safely assume, for the foreseeable future. After yesterday’s healthcare vote, which found Paulsen among the 217 Republican “yea” votes to pass the Trumpcare/Ryancare/tax cut/services cut healthcare plan, Paulsen issued a statement explaining his support.

His enraged constituents stood ready, and quickly tore his statement to tatters with their pitchforks.

Said Paulsen: “With millions in Minnesota and the United States in need of relief from skyrocketing costs, diminishing choices, and limited access, the status quo under Obamacare is no longer acceptable. This is just the latest step in reforming our health care system to be more patient-centered, and my focus remains on finding solutions that will make sure Americans have access to high quality, affordable health care. I’m also pleased to see the permanent repeal of the medical device tax included in this effort, which is critical to encourage medical innovation and make life-saving technologies accessible to patients.” Continue reading “‘Sleep well tonight’: After Trumpcare vote, Rep. Erik Paulsen’s Facebook page is a shitshow”

Health care is now set to be a defining issue in the next election cycles

The following article by Philip Rucker was posted on the Washington Post website May 5, 2017:

With one hasty and excruciatingly narrow vote, House Republicans have all but guaranteed that health care will be one of the most pivotal issues shaping the next two election cycles — including congressional, gubernatorial and state legislative races in the 2018 midterms and President Trump’s likely reelection bid in 2020.

Just as Democrats were forced to defend Obamacare in the 2010 midterms — the result was a coast-to-coast drubbing that President Barack Obama called a “shellacking” — Republicans this time will be in the hot seat. Continue reading “Health care is now set to be a defining issue in the next election cycles”

Who Wins and Who Loses in the Latest G.O.P. Health Care Bill

The following article by Margot Sanger-Katz was posted on the New York Times website May 4, 2017:

A group protesting outside the St. Joseph, Mich., office of Representative Fred Upton on Wednesday. Mr. Upton emerged as a crucial supporter of the effort to revive the G.O.P.’s health care bill. Credit Don Campbell/The Herald-Palladium, via Associated Press

The American Health Care Act, which narrowly won passage in the House on Thursday, could transform the nation’s health insurance system and create a new slate of winners and losers.

While the Senate will probably demand changes, this bill, if it becomes law in its current form, will repeal and replace large portions of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). It will change the rules and subsidies for people who buy their own insurance coverage, and make major cuts to the Medicaid program, which funds care for the poor and disabled. Continue reading “Who Wins and Who Loses in the Latest G.O.P. Health Care Bill”