LABRADOR: Wrong on health care

On March 2, I sat in Congressman Labrador’s office on Capitol Hill, clutching photos of my 9-year-old son Brady in hand. Brady was born with a genetic disease called cystic fibrosis — a frightening diagnosis which demands the highest level of specialized care for management. Because Brady’s life depends on access to health care, my husband and I do not enjoy the luxury of turning a deaf ear to policy discussions that will impact access to the care and medications that literally keep our child breathing.

In discussing the path forward, Labrador made it clear that he DID NOT believe in protecting individuals with pre-existing conditions. Labrador tried to explain that his extreme view represented a way to hinder those trying to “scam the system.” He refused to acknowledge that people like my son — born with a deadly illness — stand to lose the most from his idea to allow insurers to discriminate against those with pre-existing conditions. High-risk pools were disastrous before the ACA, and represent nothing less than a return to discrimination.

Rep. Labrador is shockingly disconnected and dangerous. He didn’t even PRETEND TO CARE about how his plan would impact the most vulnerable constituents in his district.

REBECCA SCHROEDER

Coeur d’Alene