Just to follow up for a moment on the last post about Bush’s budget, a lobbyist for Paralyzed Veterans of America gave Dems a big hint about how to proceed on one of the more controversial elements of the White House plan.
Administration officials told the New York Times that the White House budget would more than double the co-payment charged to many veterans for prescription drugs and would require some to pay a new fee of $250 a year for the privilege of using government health care.
What’s the best way for Dems to go after this? The article practically came with its own talking point:
Richard B. Fuller, legislative director of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, said: “The proposed increase in health spending is not sufficient at a time when the number of patients is increasing and there has been a huge increase in health care costs. It will not cover the need. The enrollment fee is a health care tax, designed to raise revenue and to discourage people from enrolling.” (emphasis added)
Bingo. Bush won’t touch lavish tax breaks for millionaires, but during a time of war, he’ll support a “health care tax” on veterans. It’s more than a political loser; it’s the kind of thing congressional Republicans will run from so fast they’ll leave skid marks.
Remember, by Republican rules, a fee increase is a tax increase. As such, by their own definitions, the White House has proposed raising taxes on injured veterans, many of whom are just coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Bush has placed a big, fat ball on the tee, just asking for Dems to take a swing. This one’s almost too easy.