It’s no secret that Governor Pawlenty isn’t a fan of health care reform. But when his ongoing refusal to even acknowledge the law’s existence starts to piss off the insurance companies, it’s a sign that he may be trying too hard. The federal government asked for states to comment on issues related to setting up the insurance exchanges that are envisioned in the law. Pawlenty wouldn’t allow those comments to be submitted, so the local health plans obtained the letter through a Data Practices Act and submitted it themselves. I have no great love for insurance companies, but at least they understand the need to actively engage in a dialogue with the federal government on the law’s implementation. Meanwhile, Pawlenty is acting like a craven politician who’s terrified that he’ll get a bad case of the pinkos if he even utters the words “Affordable Care Act.” His persistent efforts to will the law into nonexistence bear the rank smell of desperation. What’s more, the ultra-conservative activists that Pawlenty is trying impress with these shenanigans don’t show any signs of returning the love. But that won’t stop our governor from trying even harder to scrub himself clean of socialized medicine’s unAmerican taint.
I admit it. I LOVE your writing on stuff like this.