I doubt there are too many people who remember this, but a couple of months ago the RNC published a survey asking people for their opinions on the health care debate as it stood at the time. One of the questions caught a bit of flak from the left, which caused the RNC to backpedal, calling it “inartfully worded.” The text of the question was this:

It has been suggested that the government could use voter registration to determine a person’s political affiliation, prompting fears that GOP voters might be discriminated against for medical treatment in a Democrat-imposed health care rationing system. Does this possibility concern you?  [ ] Yes, [ ] No, [ ] Undecided

The adjective describing that question is not “inartful,” but “prescient.”Garrison Keillor, in the Chicago Tribune, flatly suggests that dropping coverage for Republicans might be a good idea.  Even if Mr. Keillor meant that as a joke, I figure it’s only a matter of time before someone proposes the idea seriously.

Shame on the RNC for backpedaling.  The question they asked is important.  The issue they raised is real.  The political gamesmanship that health care permits is something that needs to be discussed, because even though party biased health care may not be part of this bill, how ever can we guarantee that it might not be part of the next one?

Tags: healthcare