By: Health Insurance
Submitted: 2009-10-09 10:34:26 | Word Count: 857
The notorious South Carolina congressman who shouted "you lie" at President Obama during an address to Congress last month made humor of his outburst Saturday night during a speech to local Republicans.U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson became a household name after accusing Obama of lying to Congress when the president claimed on Sept. 9 that his proposed health care reform would not benefit illegal immigrants.
Speaking to about 300 people at the Missouri Republican Assembly state banquet, Wilson drew laughter when he said he was "brought up civil" in Charleston, S.C.
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As on earlier occasions, Wilson also acknowledged the way he went about challenging Obama on the facts was out of line.
"It was brought up possibly the wrong way," Wilson said, drawing laughter from a crowd of mostly southwest Missouri Republicans at the University Plaza convention center.
"But the issue has been brought up. We need to watch them like a hawk."
While the current House health care bill has provisions barring illegal immigrants from getting tax credits to make health insurance more affordable, there is no mechanism to check the citizenship of anyone who enrolls in the government-run insurance plan the president is backing.
Two days after Wilson disrupted a joint session of Congress, the Senate added a provision to a health care bill requiring proof of citizenship to get taxpayer-funded health insurance. Wilson said the amendment was in response to his outburst.
Wilson and conservative pundit Dick Morris were the featured speakers at the MRA meeting.
U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Springfield, introduced Wilson by poking fun at his outburst, which drew condemnation from the House in a Sept. 15 party-line "resolution of disapproval."
"As you might have heard recently, he has some reputation for speaking his own mind," Blunt said, gathering applause.
Missouri Democrats used Wilson's trip to Springfield to raise funds for the party.
"Instead of fighting for the over 700,000 Missourians who currently lack health insurance coverage, Missouri Republicans feel they are better off holding a $100-per-person fund-raising event that honors Congressman Joe Wilson and his childish antics," Missouri Democratic Party Executive Director Brian Zuzenak said in an e-mail to Democratic donors.
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Wilson came prepared for the Democratic attacks by touting the House Republican's alternative health care proposal to the Democrats' government-run health insurance "public option." The bill is House Resolution 3400, or the Empowering Patients First Act.
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Wilson said the GOP alternative bill would promote "accessibility and affordability" by covering pre-existing conditions, allow people to purchase health insurance across state lines and take their policy with them when they change jobs.
"This is exciting legislation," he said. "We agree with the president in regard to a wellness program. We need to promote education. We need to promote good nutrition. We need to promote exercise. And give incentives, tax incentives."
Morris spoke after Wilson. The Fox News commentator said the Democratic plan will make more middle class people dependent on the government for their general welfare.
"You can't get rid of a middle-class entitlement," he said.
Morris predicted Democrats will sustain large losses in the 2010 midterm elections due to public backlash from the bank and auto company bailouts, the president's $787 billion economic stimulus bill and the health care debate.
"But we may not have a country left by then," he said. Wilson came prepared for the Democratic attacks by touting the House Republican's alternative health care proposal to the Democrats' government-run health insurance "public option." The bill is House Resolution 3400, or the Empowering Patients First Act.Wilson said the GOP alternative bill would promote "accessibility and affordability" by covering pre-existing conditions, allow people to purchase health insurance across state lines and take their policy with them when they change jobs.
"This is exciting legislation," he said. "We agree with the president in regard to a wellness program. We need to promote education. We need to promote good nutrition. We need to promote exercise. And give incentives, tax incentives."
Morris spoke after Wilson. The Fox News commentator said the Democratic plan will make more middle class people dependent on the government for their general welfare.
"You can't get rid of a middle-class entitlement," he said.
Morris predicted Democrats will sustain large losses in the 2010 midterm elections due to public backlash from the bank and auto company bailouts, the president's $787 billion economic stimulus bill and the health care debate.
"But we may not have a country left by then," he said.
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