Rep. Roy Blunt (R-MO)–who’s running to replace retiring Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO) in this year’s midterm elections–has a position on health care reform that may prove unpopular, even with conservative voters. Blunt says adults with pre-existing conditions should not be prevented from suffering discrimination at the hands of insurance companies.
“Access for kids who have pre-existing conditions, who would be against that?” Blunt asked a group of health care professionals in Springfield, MO. “But access for adults who’ve done nothing to take care of themselves, who actually will have as I just described every incentive not to get insurance until the day that you know that you’re going to have medical expenses–that’s a very different kind of story.”
There’s an added layer of irony here, which is that, at the beginning of last year, House Minority Leader John Boehner appointed Blunt to chair the GOP’s health care task force.
Since the passage of health care reform, Republicans have been all over the map. Some say the entire law should be repealed. Others say only the unpopular provisions should be. Blunt’s statements highlight just how tricky that dance can be. Blunt’s office was not immediately available for comment. Video below.
