GOP Health Plan
“Die Quickly”
Alan Grayson / House of Representatives, Sept. 29, 2009

The Other Death Panel

Following are remars delivered by U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., from the floor of the House of Representatives on Sept. 29, 2009.

You may recall that a few weeks ago, President Obama came to this Chamber and he addressed the Chamber on health care before a joint session of the House and the Senate. During that session, I was privileged to be here, and I saw my colleagues on the far side of the aisle, the Republicans, waving pieces of paper during his speech, and I was wondering what they were. I couldn't imagine. It almost seemed like they wanted President Obama's autograph. I just didn't get it. I heard from one of my colleagues that this is what they call the Republican health care plan.

I went over after the speech was over. I picked up a copy that was lying down on the Republican side, and it turns out that the Republicans health care plan was a blank piece of paper. I inquired further, trying to find out exactly what Republicans health care plan is, and it is my duty and pride tonight to be able to announce exactly what the Republicans plan to do for health care in America. It is this. It is a very simple plan. Here it is.

The Republicans' health care plan for America: Don't get sick. That's right. Don't get sick. If you have insurance, don't get sick. If you don't have insurance, don't get sick. If you are sick, don't get sick. Just don't get sick. That's what the Republicans have in mind for you, America. That's the Republicans' health care plan.

But I think that the Republicans understand that that plan isn't always going to work. It is not a foolproof plan. So the Republicans have a back-up plan in case you do get sick. If you get sick in America, this is what the Republicans want you to do. If you get sick, America, the Republican health care plan is this: Die quickly. That's right. The Republicans want you to die quickly if you get sick.

Now, the Democrats have a different plan. The Democrats say that if you have health insurance, we are going to make it better. If you don't have health insurance, we are going to provide it to you. If you can't afford health insurance, then we'll help you afford it.

So America gets to decide. Do you want the Democratic plan or do you want to Republican plan?

Remember, the Republican plan: Don't get sick. And if you do get sick, die quickly.