Several weeks ago the Supreme Court unintentionally gave conservatives a shot in the arm they needed to renew the fight against ObamaCare. The GOP Doctors Caucus, chaired by Georgia Rep. Phil Gingrey, has been vocal in educating the public and fellow members on the effects of ObamaCare. He is also working with Senator Tom Coburn and other fellow physicians to improve Medicare’s solvency.
On his recent vote to repeal ObamaCare, Rep. Gingrey said, “Health care costs in this country are too high, but this 2,000 page, $1 trillion law is not the solution. Patients should have more control of their insurance decisions, and reform should be driven on the state level. Rather than rushing through legislation that we have to read to ‘find out what’s in it,’ Republicans will take a thoughtful, measured approach to increasing access and quality of care to patients, without giving control to bureaucrats.”
Rep. Gingrey has been leading the effort to repeal ObamaCare, as well as offering solutions to improve health care. He has authored several bills including, the Protecting Access to Healthcare Act (which passed the House earlier this year) and the State Flexibility Act, which gives states the ability to better decide who is covered under Medicaid. This is especially important given the pressure ObamaCare puts on the states.
Rep. Gingrey hails from Augusta, Georgia. He and his wife of 41 years live in Marietta, Georgia, a lovely town where my father was also born. They have four children and 11 grandchildren, so no doubt his efforts in the House aren’t just about short-term fixes, but long-term solutions to make health care better and restore America’s fiscal health for future generations. While all eyes are certainly on the presidential race in November, we must also continue to support those like Rep. Gingrey who are working against ObamaCare.
Each week the De Pasquale's Dozen asks political figures, free market-minded writers and entertainers to take a break from politics and talk about their pop culture obsessions.
1. If there were a television channel that showed only one movie over and over, what movie should it be?
Braveheart; It is a story of patriotism, of willingness to die for a cause, and of courage and moral fortitude.
2. What’s one of your favorite movie quotes?
“As God as my witness, I will never be hungry again.” Besides being a hometown favorite, it’s such a dramatic and powerful scene.
3. In A Clockwork Orange, Malcolm McDowell is strapped in with his eyes propped open and forced to watch images until he was "cured." If you could give President Obama, Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Leader Harry Reid the "Clockwork Orange treatment," what movie would you make them watch?
The Longest Day, an epic film about D-Day. Allied soldiers displayed patriotism and courage under fire. These members of the Greatest Generation did what needed to be done without asking for permission.
4. What pop culture souvenir do you own that people would be surprised to learn that you cherish?
I’m a huge baseball fan; I cherish my baseball memorabilia collection, some of which is signed by Hall of Fame players.
5. What's your current “guilty pleasure” non-news television show?
I love watching Seinfeld reruns.
6. What’s the best present you ever received as a child?
Visiting my first cousins in Manhattan on a white Christmas in 1947
7. What was the first rock concert you ever attended and where did you sit and who went with you?
I saw Elvis Presley with my brother in 1955 when he performed at Bell Auditorium in Augusta.
8. What advice do you remember your mother or father giving you? Did you take it?
The advice my father gave me was, “Always do the right thing, even if it hurts.” I took that advice.
9. If Republicans and Democrats had theme songs for 2012 what would they be?
Republicans’ theme song would be “Home” by Dierks Bentley. Democrats’ theme song would be “Get A Job” by The Sihouettes.
10. Tell me about your favorite teacher and how he or she influenced your life.
My favorite teacher was Sister Mary Gilbert, who taught me in the fifth and sixth grades. She challenged her students and really believed in us. She inspired me to work hard and prove her right.
11. What books are on your summer reading list?
I’m going to reread two of my favorite classics, A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens and Les Miserables by Victor Hugo.
12. Tell me about the moment you decided to enter the political arena.
When my kids were in high school at Marietta High, I was concerned about their education and improving public education in our community. I applied for the open local school board position, which was appointed. I didn’t get it, but ran for the open seat in the next election. I was elected, and ultimately served as chairman of the Marietta School Board for three terms. Since then, I have served as a Georgia state senator and currently represent Georgia’s 11th Congressional District.
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