The framing of this Republican Deathcare Travesty needs to change.
The discussions around how this abomination of a healthcare bill will throw people off of insurance or eliminate their access to Medicaid or deny them essential coverage or even decimate Women's healthcare seem to have little effect on moving those who don't really seem to care, for whatever reasons. We need to approach this with something else.
I think we as Democrats and those that oppose this legislation (which only makes most peoples lives more and more untenable or fraught with concerns for their loved ones) need to make an assumption that this thing will pass and then what do we do?
I propose at least 3 things that we need to start advocating for. Stay with me on why this may influence those who now seem to be oblivious to why this Republican Deathcare Plan is so bad (they really don't empathize well, now do they?)
1- Assisted Suicide must be become a right for all. It only makes sense for those who can not afford the healthcare that they no longer can afford and it would be something for them to consider to protect their family from having to go into debt because the family is pretty much the ones that now would have to take care of them.
2- Bankruptcy Laws need to change to prevent the impact of the increases that we will see when people can no longer afford to stay alive. When yearly and/or lifetime caps are removed again, these numbers will increase. We need to respond to that with changes that protect those that would suffer for the debts, like the family again. See Number 1 to help mitigate this.
3- We need to remove all restrictions on the availability and use of drugs that will alleviate the pain of illnesses that this legislation will indeed increase. This means more opioids. If people have no access to medical care to help them through their illness then they should at least have access to those things that will help them either through their problem or to the end of it.
The connection to why we must advocate for these is that it puts the effects of the Republicans plan into somewhat of a real response for everyone, including those who may not be thinking of effects- most Republicans I must say.
It moves the discussion. Move it to real legislation requests-like amendments or whatever. Bring it forward as a real response.
Have those who object to Assisted Suicide thought this through?--Many in the Evangelical movement need to balance this with what they have been taught about Christian compassion.
Do those who may be concerned about their financial well being thought this through? This may or may not influence the Republican base but if it is emphasized with the discussion around Medicaid loss and their elders late life healthcare then maybe they will get it.
The Opioid thing is front and center in many Republican areas. If it is advocated as a response to this Republican monstrosity then maybe they will have to rethink their support of more drugs in their world.
A long proposal, but a different approach. Make laws (or at least try to) in response to this and maybe people will think a little more about what they really support.
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