The stage is yours, Representative Paulsen
After the stunning rebuke Representative Erik Paulsen received from his hometown press this weekend, you’d think he would use this one week recess to explain voting “yes” to rip away health insurance from millions, slap an age tax on older Americans, increase insurance premiums, and strip away protections for people living with pre-existing conditions.
But you’d be wrong.
After taking this heartless and defining vote last week, Paulsen has refused to hold a town hall and has shown no interest in answering to the Minnesotans whose health and economic well-being are at risk.
“If Representative Paulsen thinks he can vote for the Republican repeal & ripoff bill, and then poof and disappear, he doesn’t understand the community he claims to represent,” said DCCC spokesperson Rachel Irwin. “This repeal effort would slap an age tax on older Americans, increase their insurance premiums, and gut protections for those constituents living with pre-existing conditions – and Minnesota voters won’t forget it. This might be Washington politics as usual for Erik Paulsen, but for many people living in Minnesota, it’s a life and death difference.”
Just ask his constituents…
Minnesota Public Radio: Angry with health bill votes, demonstrators take to Paulsen and Lewis’ offices
“I’m just very disappointed. Congressman Erik Paulsen has been continually voting with the party lines and not listening to his constituents,” she said. “I am one of his constituents, I’m very concerned with his voting record. And what happened yesterday was inexcusable.”
Star Tribune Column: Tevlin: Dear Reps. Paulsen, Emmer and Lewis, spare us the crowing over
In case you haven’t, maybe you should listen to some of your constituents. How about Nikki from Brooklyn Park. Rep. Paulsen, you represent her.
Nikki is currently employed, so she has insurance, but knows she could lose it any day. “I was a healthy 42-year-old walking into work one day when I had my first episode,” she said. Nikki was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, which is incurable.
“I found out later that there was nothing I had done to cause the situation,” Nikki said. “The reality is, living with MS is extremely unpredictable. When I had my first episode, it was a struggle to walk. I think people should know we are all one illness away from losing coverage.
KMSP Fox 9: Demonstrators protest Rep. Paulsen’s support of health care bill
“Older people, like myself, are going to be put at risk,” said Terry Sherman, who lives in Paulsen’s district. “People on Medicaid and Medicare, like myself, will lose the opportunity to have affordable healthcare.”
“Paulsen has voted to throw the whole healthcare sector into chaos,” said Jena Martin, another constituent. “People don’t know how to plan for the future. Insurance companies, states. It’s reckless.”