Jimmy Kimmel was right about preexisting conditions

By now we’ve probably heard about Mr. Kimmel’s tearful account of his child’s ordeal.  Thank God the baby is doing better.

Now, Kimmel also got political, and fair is fair.  That means the positions he brought up are open to criticism.  I’ve heard people smack down rebuttals as unacceptable because of his and his child’s ordeal.  But he brought politics into it, and therefore debate is on the table.

Nonetheless, there is a disclaimer worth mentioning.  One of the tricks to negative stereotypes is not living up to them.  There are things that the GOP can speak to about Kimmel’s opinions, but going after preexisting conditions has to be one of the worst.  It feeds into the stereotype that modern Conservatism is all about survival of the richest.

It does no good to add to the problem by suggesting people who are sick need to pay more.  Ultimately the whole problem with America’s healthcare is cost.  It isn’t accessibility.  It isn’t availability.  Healthcare providers are all over the place.  Insurance in some form or another is available as well.  It’s the cost.  Suggesting people who are sick – for whatever reason – should pay more because they are sick, suggests hurting people is a price we’re willing to pay as opposed to finding other solutions.

We won’t even get into the idea that insurance companies should be free to deny coverage based on PECs.  That’s not worth discussing, and one of the brighter points of the ACA was putting an end to that practice.

I’m not saying we shouldn’t discuss how to incorporate such coverage without hurting the insurers.  That’s fair.  It simply can’t be hoisted back on the insured.  Again, it’s the cost.  Anything that puts more burden on the insured is an idea no longer worth pursuing.  Unless, of course, living up to negative stereotypes is the goal.  Then by all means.