Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
CASEY TALKS GUN REFORM, HEALTH CARE
Pa. Senator urges Congress to support gun safety bills
UWCHLAN >> Sen. Bob Casey discussed guns, health care and the current climate in Washington, during an hour-long interview, Monday, at the MediaNews Group office.
Casey was hopeful that in September Congress will discuss gun reform and possibly vote on several bills, a first during Senate majority leader Mitch McConnel’s tenure.
Casey wants to discuss and vote on background checks, the size of gun magazines and military style assault rifles.
Casey favors legislation that would concern Red Flag laws or what the senator prefers to refer to as Extreme Risk Protection Orders.
Casey supports Red Flag measures for a judge to decide when someone is a “danger to himself or others … and might commit an act of violence.”
Casey wants lawmakers to take a stand on the issue.
“Let’s put members of Congress on the record,” Casey said. “If you’re unwilling to support gun safety, and by doing nothing, politicians are complicit in the carnage.”
Casey also wants the Senate and House to take out the “terrorist loophole” which forbids some from flying, but not purchasing a gun. “No fly, no buy,” Casey said. He also is opposed to the “Charlestown Loophole” which gives a purchaser the right to buy a gun if the state does not make a determination on eligibility during a set amount of time.
“If you run out of time, the guy gets the gun,” he said.
Casey favors the National Instant Check System which determines a buyer’s eligibility within about 15 minutes.
When tragedies like the recent ones at Dayton and El Paso occured, Casey said we “don’t focus on it long enough, and we can’t
debate it for a couple of days, and then move on.”
Casey has been a strong proponent of health care reform.
He asked what Democrats, presidential candidates and the media should do.
Casey said we should not support the Texas vs. U.S. lawsuit, opposing sabotage and support Medicaid.
The 5th Circuit of Appeals is hearing a suit that would gut the Affordable Care Act. Three judges – a Jimmy Carter appointee, a Donald Trump appointee and a George W. Bush appointee – will make a decision that could be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Casey said that there are members of the Trump administration that want the exchanges to fail by limiting the length of enrollment time and funding of an advertising campaign.
As Casey tours Pennsylvania, he said constituents most ask him about health care and prescription drug costs.
The senator said hypothetically that many “25-year-olds” complain that they wouldn’t be willing to pay the cost of full health insurance plans, but rather prefer a “skinny plan.”
Casey said that it is important for everyone to carry full insurance since a good “mix” in the pool and preventive medicine serves everyone into old age.
“We’re all better off if we’re all covered,” Casey said.
Casey is opposed to a Trump plan to cut Medicaid by $1.5 billion within 10 years.
Casey wants to insure all children under Medicare until the age of 18.
“When that child is better off, we’re all better off,” he said.
Casey referred to Medicaid as the “nursing home program.” He said that above 50 percent of all people in nursing homes are receiving Medicaid. Don’t eliminate, but expand Medicaid, the senator said.
Casey also said that Medicaid is a huge driver for fighting opioid addiction.
Casey has served as a senator since 2007. He said both parties worked better together then.
“We can work together on some health care issues,” he said. “It’s up to everyone in both parties to work together – but with Medicaid I’ll fight to the end.”