Residents looking to have their questions answered about health care, foreign policy and any number of issues facing the legislature in Washington, D.C., will have their chance tomorrow afternoon.
Congressman James Comer, Republican representative for the first congressional district of Kentucky, will hold a town hall meeting at 4:30pm Wednesday, May 10, in the fiscal courtroom at 1101 Main St. in Benton. The event kicks off the second leg of a town hall circuit Comer began in April. He intends to host at least one meeting in each of the district’s 35 counties. The Marshall County stop is the 15th Comer has hosted thus far.
Comer said he intends to present updates on foreign policy as it relates specifically to North Korea and Syria, work with the U.S. Forestry Service in Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area and the House spending bill. The bulk of the conversation he said, however, would likely revolve around health care.
Comer has come under recent criticism for casting a vote of approval on a GOP health care bill on which the Congressional Budget Office had not yet released an analysis of cost and impact on U.S. citizens. The bill, which sought to repeal and replace widespread components of the Affordable Care Act – more commonly known as “Obamacare” – failed to move forward as written in the Senate; a Senate committee is reviewing and revising the bill.
The legislation, dubbed the American Health Care Act, calls for providing refundable tax credits based on a person’s age and income. Key points of the bill include allowing states to waive some protections for those with pre-existing conditions, while letting insurers charge higher rates to older consumers and levy a 30 percent surcharge on the premiums of those who let their coverage lapse.
The legislation also implements a freeze on Medicaid expansion, which covers about one in five U.S. Citizens. It repeals all taxes implemented by the ACA, including those imposed on the wealthy, insurers and companies. In addition, the bill eliminates IRS penalties incurred by those who fail to obtain health insurance.
Supporters of the bill say it would lower insurance premiums and deductibles. Opponents fear the bill could leave millions without adequate coverage and facing higher health care bills.
Comer said lawmakers were tasked with a tough decision, as the current model was purely unsustainable.
“Obamacare is collapsing,” Comer said. “There are 35 counties in the first congressional district; 31 of the 35 counties only have one insurance carrier now, and that’s Anthem, and Anthem’s threatening to pull out. There are three states in the last month that the carriers have pulled out of the rural counties, leaving them with no insurance. So, if something is not done to try to stabilize the individual insurance market and lower premiums for working Americans, then we’re going to see a health care crisis like we’ve never seen before. And I voted for the bill because I do believe it will lower insurance premiums while at the same time protecting people on Medicaid and people with pre-existing conditions.”
Marshall County Democratic Party Chairwoman Susanna French said she thought residents would have plenty to say on the issue, on both sides of the aisle.
“It is very real and personal to those who rely on the ability to have health care for their livelihood,” French said via email. “… During Congressman Comer’s campaign, he pledged to protect pre-existing coverages with every breath he had and he has failed to do so, voting step-by-step with President’s Trump in every single issue. On behalf of the Marshall County Democratic Party, we hope to hear Congressman Comer explain whether he stands for Kentuckians, and specifically Marshall Countians, or President Trump.”
Comer encouraged residents to come and voice their concerns during the event. He hoped to provide clarity for some residents on those issues of concern, as well as gain insight into constituent wants. Comer said he also hopes to reach constiuents on the level of issues they face daily.
“I’ll have a case worker there,” Comer said. “At every one of my town halls I have a case worker there. That’ll be set up in the back, and if anybody has any issues that our office can help them with, issues like with the VA or their social security, and we’ll get their contact information and get to work on helping them. Every town hall we always have a few people that will come up with different issues, and I think our office has been pretty responsive in trying to help with case work.”
Comer said he hoped to keep the event civil to open the lines of communication.
“I’m going to try to the best of my ability explain the health care bill and explain what the goal is and go from there,” Comer said. “… We can agree to disagree or maybe I can educate some people on what’s actually in the bill.”
French said that while the local Democratic party had disseminated information to members to encourage attendance, she expected the meeting be professional and courteous, despite heightened sensitivity surrounding some topics of discussion. In a subsequent interview, French said she hoped to see constituent concerns turn to political action on Comer’s part rather than votes based on party lines; participation from both local Republicans and Democrats was crucial to keeping lawmakers informed of what those concerns and wants actually are, she said.
“I do think we need to participate,” French said. “It is a political process that I think everybody should be involved in, and whether you agree or disagree you should show up and express your opinion one way or the other. So, that’s what I hope we do, and I hope that we do so respectfully and professionally and I expect no less.”
Comer is a freshman congressman from Tompkinsville. He was elected in 2016 to fulfill the unexpired term left open by former Congressman Ed Whitfield in special election; he was elected to succeed Whitfield on the same ballot during the November general election.