Comment by Iowa Senator Sparks Controversy
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A recent comment by senator grassley is striking up controversy. And the "Health for America Now" organization is responding.
In a recent town hall meeting, Grassley was asked "how can Average Joe get the same quality of health care coverage that people in federal government receive?" Grassley's response was, "go work for the federal government."
Sioux City businessman and well known Democrat... Rick Mullin... Is one person who thinks comments like this prove that the senator is out of touch with the American people.
He says, "I can't just quit my family business and go work for the government even if they'd hire me. And so for most people that's just a ridiculous comment. I'm sure he meant it as a joke but this is a serious issue."
Some of the others who attended the rally at Sioux City's public library think so too. They actually filled out mock applications for federal government positions in response to grassley.
The event's organizers then delivered what were actually health care surveys to the Federal Building for review. Senator Grassley welcomes these types of rallies, saying they help highlight Iowa concerns. But he thinks this controversy is a big misunderstanding.
Grassley adds, "I think people are trying to make out of that, that I didn't have any appreciation for the anxiety of people that didn't have health insurance. I know what that is - between 1957 and 1967, I didn't have health insurance, so I'm working in a bipartisan way on the finance committee to have affordability and accessibility for everybody that doesn't have health insurance.
Rally organizers hope the event will push the senior senator to pass a health care bill that encompasses key principles of health care reform that Iowans can relate to.
And just today, Iowa senator Tom Harkin and the senate health committee approved the affordable health choices act which is a bill that includes prevention and wellness investments.
