Bob McCarty Writes

Will health care reform policies contained in the so-called “Economic Stimulus Package” impact members of the 111th Congress the same way they will ordinary Americans?  I doubt it.  Just in case, however, I decided to take a look at three of the most-senior members of the U.S. Senate and speculate as to how the new legislation, if passed, might affect them:

Sen. Robert Byrd

1. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) — Age 91 and, as shown in this video, no longer making a meaningful contribution to society, Senator Byrd would likely be denied anything more than basic treatment should he have another episode like the one which caused him to leave a luncheon following President Barack Obama’s inauguration.  Heck, he’s already been declared dead once — by Wikipedia.

Sen. Edward Kennedy

2. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) — Age 76 and suffering from seizures related to a form of uncurable form of brain cancer known as glioma, Senator Kennedy would likely be sent home to die at his family compound in Hyannisport.  Still, if he dies in 2009, he will have enjoyed 40 more years of life than Mary Jo Kopechne.

Sen. Daniel Inouye

3. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) — Age 84 and a Medal of Honor receipient, Senator Inouye has lasted more than 60 years without the right arm he lost in World War II.  Surely, he can survive without extraordinary measures (i.e., basic health care) being taken to prolong his life.  Don’t you think?

Of course, one would have to be nuts to assume that members of Congress would subject themselves to the same health care policies as the rest of us.  Aaaarrgghh!