Gotta admit, despite thinking I was pretty politically aware, I had no idea Kentucky, home of Senators Mitch "The reptile" McConnell and Rand "It's pronounced eye-n" Paul, had a Democratic governor. As one would expect from a person of such affiliation, he seems a man of good sense:
... So why then is Kentucky — more quickly than almost any other state — moving to implement the Affordable Care Act?
Because there’s a huge disconnect between the rank partisanship of national politics and the outlook of governors whose job it is to help beleaguered families, strengthen work forces, attract companies and create a balanced budget...
The state ranks among the worst, if not the worst, in almost every major health category, including smoking, cancer deaths, preventable hospitalizations, premature death, heart disease and diabetes...
The Affordable Care Act is one of those solutions....
Lack of health coverage puts their health and financial security at risk.
They roll the dice and pray they don’t get sick. They choose between food and medicine...
Furthermore, their children go long periods without checkups that focus on immunizations, preventive care and vision and hearing tests. If they have diabetes, asthma or infected gums, their conditions remain untreated and unchecked...
The Affordable Care Act will address these weaknesses...
In short, we couldn’t afford not to do it...
As for naysayers, I’m offended by their partisan gamesmanship, as they continue to pour time, money and energy into overturning or defunding the Affordable Care Act. It’s shameful that these critics haven’t invested that same level of energy into trying to improve the health of our citizens...
So, to those more worried about political power than Kentucky’s families, I say, “Get over it.”
... and get out of the way so I can help my people. Here in Kentucky, we cannot afford to waste another day or another life.[Image source]
