To the Editor:
Delegate Ken Plum (D-36) tries to make the argument for expanded Medicaid rolls (“Contrasting Views,” Reston Connection, May 7-13, 2014), touting “free” government money, but inhibits rational argument with his inability to resist cheap partisan invective. There is a debate to be had here, but Mr. Plum will have none of it. He describes the laudable efforts of volunteer Remote Area Medical clinics (we can all agree that we need more of these) and observes that its president, Stan Brock, makes “no references to politics, ideology, or partisanship.” Needless to say, Delegate Plum does it for him, tiresomely dredging up the cliched bogeymen du jour – yes, you guessed it, the “Koch brothers”.
He vilifies those representing the majority will of Virginians opposed to a budget-busting expansion of Medicaid as “legislative puppets,” omitting to mention any of the enormous deficiencies of Obamacare -- malfunctioning websites, sky-high premiums, and bureaucratic medical diktat -- of which Medicaid expansion is essentially a part.
Expanding a failing program devouring 21 percent of the General Fund and with costs growing at 9 percent annually is not the answer for Virginia.
Harry Locock
Reston