Senate, White House Health Reform Tucks in Gun Rights

Mike & Friends Blog

Donna Smith

Donna Smith, American SiCKO, is executive director of the Health Care for All Colorado Foundation

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December 22nd, 2009 2:22 PM

Senate, White House Health Reform Tucks in Gun Rights

Could we make this stuff up? We cannot get healthcare as a basic human right for one another. But we sure can make sure gun ownership protections are tucked into the Senate health reform bill that is so celebrated as historic by the White House.

It gives a whole new meaning to “kill the bill,” doesn’t it? Or maybe killing people in a number of ways just didn’t really matter all that much in this process so far. Protecting the money and the power is what mattered. Is there any better explanation for including gun rights issues within healthcare legislation?

In an Associated Press report, we read, “Gun rights lobbyists pushed for language to ban collection of data on gun ownership in the bill.”

That’s right. Somehow the gun lobby was able to secure its own special little deal to make sure those who wish to brandish guns are able to do so without too much scrutiny.

So, let’s get another thing straight from Congress’ health reform effort thus far. We cannot possibly protect the right to have healthcare professionals and patients decide on appropriate healthcare treatments without more intervention by private, for-profit insurance companies, but we can add in more protections for those who wish to kill with guns to do so?

I wonder how some of the folks who have endured horrific acts of gun violence in this nation would feel about that being including as a way to improve the nation’s healthcare system? Was part of the intent to make sure those who are shot in our cities and schools and workplaces have insurance to cover those traumatic injuries in the future?

Guess I have more stock prices to check today. Health insurance giants. Big Pharma. Gun manufacturers.

Peace on earth, goodwill toward men. And pass the ammo with that, would you please?

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