I was forwarded this e-mail by a friend. It is basically an answer from Rep Eric Massa to a physician who wrote to him comparing the law that mandates emergency room care for immigrants to a form of slavery for doctors who had to provide that treatment.
You may recall that Eric Massa was elected to congress in 2008 in NY 29, which was a formerly very republican CD. Mr. Massa has shown, in his short time representing the district, that one doesn't have to naturally become a blue dog upon replacing a long time republican. He has, in fact, joined the progressive 65 in the house, indicating his strong support for the public option, and has at other times indicated his support for single payer.
I thought the Kos community would be very interested in seeing the exchange that Mr. Massa had recently with a doctor, regarding both what was briefly referred to above and the Joe Wilson incident, so here goes.
Joe Wilson is not the only one who owes us an apology.
Everyday my email inbox fills up with notes from people all across New York's 29th Congressional District. Often these emails are civil and polite, and voice concerns and opinions on specific policy issues before the Congress. Other times they are something completely different, and reflect a reality that we recently saw on the House floor.
At the bottom of this email I have taken the liberty of sharing with you a recent email conversation between myself, and a doctor from the District. My answer to the outrageous email I received is in the final paragraphs below. As you can see, civil debate has gone so far by the wayside that I felt compelled to share it with you, my supporters. The so called leadership of Congressman Joe Wilson is inspiring many others - including this Medical doctor. This email shows the mentality that I am encountering more and more as this health care debate unfolds. And this is exactly what we are fighting against. My public positions as a leader for health care reform have put me squarely in the sights of those seeking to stop reform at any cost. I wanted to let you see exactly what I am up against.
This is why I turn to you once again. I need you to stand with me and help he fight these lies and distortions head on. I, like you, believe that health care reform is the single greatest challenge of our time, and that is why I urge you to support my candidacy for re-election.
Thank You for all that you do.
With Kind Regards,
Eric
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HERE IS THE FULL EMAIL TEXT OF MY RECENT CONVERSATION WITH A LOCAL DOCTOR.
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From: Dr. M. M., MD
Zip: 14618
President Obama is a liar. The face that Joe Wilson chose to state that fact during Obama's speech is irrelevant to me. It is a fact that illegal aliens receive free health care in emergency departments all across this country. There is a federal law mandating that anyone presenting to the emergency department MUST BE SEEN under penalty of law. No provision was made by the government to compensate Physicians or Hospitals for the care they are forced to provide.. Forced labor without compensation is slavery and outlawed by the Constitution of the United States.
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From: Eric Massa
Dear Doctor,
It saddens me to hear educated people in this country, a country that I defended with my life for more than two decades, endorse and propagate emails like yours.
Let me be exceptionally clear, I disagree with you - and both you and Congressman Wilson are wrong.
The President, with whom I have many policy disagreements, did not lie. He stated that there was nothing in the current legislation that provided funding for health care for illegal residents of this country. He is right - there is not.
As you correctly stated, there is a long-standing law that requires that all persons receive some basic level of care at an emergency room. In many states that care is now a referral to an outpatient clinic or other less expensive facility. The fact that the emergency room is the only place for so many to go - legal residents and illegal residents - is one of the core problems that we have in this country today. Would you turn someone away following a broken arm suffered while working on a farm? Would you say "sorry" after an auto accident? Do you really think that those who toil in the shadows seek to appear in front of you to suffer your scorn and disdain? Since when did a physician become a social judge and jury in the emergency room?
Should we enforce our immigration laws so that millions are not here illegally - yes. Should we make the emergency room the point of enforcement - no. We clearly disagree on this and I doubt we will ever reconcile that difference.
I am frankly shocked that you, a medical doctor, would equate providing medical care to those who cannot afford it, to forced slavery. This is absolutely outrageous, and an insult to all who have suffered under the scourge of slavery.
I am proud to know dozens of doctors who have travel the United States and the World seeking out the destitute, the poor and yes, even those who are right here among us, harvesting our food in the shadows of our legal system in order to provide care for them. These doctors represent the best among us and are model to hold up to our youth.
You, based on the statements in your email, are not.
I took an oath to defend your right to make the statements you make, while you as a medical doctor took and oath "to do no harm". I uphold mine to the best of my ability, do you? Your comments only reinforce the debased and disgraced political forces that were so clearly illustrated by an indefensible outburst on the floor of the House by a Congressman who has already apologized.
I would offer the observation that one should be careful when calling another a liar ... especially when that accusation is not based on fact. Please know that if you are a constituent in the 29th Congressional District I hope you publicly campaign against me thus virtually guaranteeing my re-election.
Sincerely,
Eric Massa