Letters to the Editor, Opinion Congresswoman’s bill would protect people with pre-existing conditions
Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler once again introduced a bill to protect people with pre-existing conditions. A misrepresentation during the last election was that Jaime did not support protecting pre-existing conditions referring to the symbolic Republican votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) under Obama. Now let’s look at her actions to learn the reality. There continue to be challenges of various kinds (legislative and judicial) to invalidate the entire ACA. Jaime understands this part of healthcare law is the right thing to do and must be guaranteed. Jaime was one of the original sponsors of H.R. 1121 — Pre-existing Conditions Protection Act of 2017, which never was voted on (note submitted in 2017). Jaime is one of the original co-sponsors of this new bill introduced in January, H.R.383 — Continuing Coverage for Pre-existing Conditions Act of 2019. Jaime is committed to maintaining that no matter what happens with the ACA, the protection of those with pre-existing conditions remains in place. The ACA has good parts and other parts that are flawed. This was stated from the day it was passed. Hopefully we can get beyond partisan politics and embrace what is good and reform what is flawed.
Brad Jensen, Camas
Letter regarding abortion bill misrepresented congresswoman’s position
Regarding the Geni Donaghey letter (Camas-Washougal Post-Record, April 11, 2019) in which she castigates Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler for support of the “Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act” —
Ms. Donaghey’s paragraph is an unfortunate example of willful misrepresentation. Misrepresentation because she implies she speaks for all of Southwest Washington, and clearly she does not; witness the fact that Herrera Beutler won the last election. Misrepresentation because the actual purport of the bill can be seen in this summary of H.R.4712 – Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act:
“This bill amends the federal criminal code to require any health care practitioner who is present when a child is born alive following an abortion or attempted abortion to: (1) exercise the same degree of care as reasonably provided to any other child born alive at the same gestational age, and (2) ensure that such child is immediately admitted to a hospital. The term “born alive” means the complete expulsion or extraction from his or her mother, at any stage of development, who after such expulsion or extraction breathes or has a beating heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles, regardless of whether the umbilical cord has been cut” and “An individual who commits an overt act that kills a child born alive is subject to criminal prosecution for murder.”
I don’t know whether Rep. Beutler is pro- or anti-choice; but it looks like she certainly does not condone infanticide, the murder of babies.
Lee Howard, Washougal
