Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler’s support for repeal of the Affordable Care Act is a misguided display of partisanship that will hurt the people of the 3rd Congressional District. Her recently stated reasons for her position seemed based more on past political talking points than in any desire to be constructive.
Many people have been helped by the ACA, and many could benefit from further expansions to constructive health care reform. Herrera Beutler seems content to strip poor and middle-class folks of insurance options and hold tight, waiting for a paralyzed Congress or authoritarian narcissist to solve things. Perhaps she should spend more time fighting for the people of Southwest Washington and less time reading Paul Ryan’s manifestos; she should work to improve and build upon the progress that’s been made in reining in health insurance costs, expanding coverage, and protecting those with pre-existing conditions rather than setting everything alight.
On Jan. 17, Herrera Beutler said to a group of constituents, “When it comes to leadership, character action does matter.” She was referring to Donald Trump and her refusal to endorse or vote for him (which I applaud). I expect her to apply the same lens to herself. She has the responsibility to fight for the 3rd District, work forward to protect and expand on the ACA, and show some “character action” herself.
