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Protesters Say Rep. Grimm Is Health Care Hypocrite
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 18, 2011
Modified Jan 18, 2011
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By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 18, 2011
Modified Jan 18, 2011
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Freshman Congressman Michael Grimm (R-Staten Island) is on board with the GOP's repeal of the so-called "job-killing" health care reform passed last year. But his acceptance of his employer- (and his employer is the government) provided health care has raised the ire of Democrats as well as some constituents. Staten Island Democratic Association president Richard Reichard said while protesting outside of Grimm's local office yesterday, "If you're going to say that government shouldn't provide health care, you shouldn't have it either."
Earlier this month, Grimm had told the Daily News, "What am I, not supposed to have health care? It's practicality. I'm not going to become a burden for the state because I don't have health care and, God forbid I get into an accident and I can't afford the operation...That can happen to anyone," words that his critics believe are hypocritical.
Grimm more recently told the State Island Advance, "There is no hypocrisy to speak of other than the fact that these individuals claim to be protesting because I enrolled in employer-sponsored health care which I encourage every employee that has such an option to do,” but Young Democrats president Amy Lavelle said, "He’s fortunate he has an employer who will provide health care. A lot of people don’t have that option." Well, maybe Democrats should also focus on the important stuff.
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health care
health care reform
insurance
michael grimm
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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