Political Quotes

On the recordMarch 17, 2010
Well, I was the insurance commissioner in California from 1991 to 1995, and then 2003 to 2007, so I've got 8 years as the insurance commissioner in the biggest State in this Nation, with a lot of seniors. Our seniors haven't grown quite as fast as our friend talked about from Nevada, but in total numbers we are so much bigger. Major, major problem for seniors. You're looking at the most expensive part of the population, the senior population, and it is absolutely true that the insurance companies do not want to ensure people that are going to get sick. Who's going to get sick? It's the seniors. And that's why Medicare came into place, as was described earlier, because that population has the most difficult time of obtaining insurance, and it happens to be the most expensive part. We figured out here how to provide it. The Republicans are going to do what? They're going to give you a voucher. So if I'm 54 years old now--let me see if this is correct. I'm 54, and if the Republicans had their way, when I become 65 in 11 years, I don't get Medicare, which provides me with a comprehensive policy that I can take anywhere in this Nation. I can go to Maine and get the policy. I can go to California and get the policy. I don't get that. I get a voucher, and I'm going to go to an insurance company that I know does not want me because they know that at 65 I'm going to be expensive.
Said by
John Garamendi
Democratic · California

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