Obamacare Backers Support Susan King

In the state of Texas there are few things more toxic to Republican voters than Obamacare, yet one candidate for public office is touting the endorsement of an organization that would seek to impose the burdensome law on the Lone Star State, all while campaigning against it.

State Rep. Susan King (R-Abilene), who is running for a seat in the Texas Senate, recently made headlines for attempting to deceive voters by conflating her criminal records with health records. Now she’s at it again by campaigning against Obamacare, while touting the endorsements of the law’s biggest supporters.

“As a front-line health care provider, I am strongly opposed to Obamacare,” King told the Abilene Reporter while she was exploring a run.

King even has a petition on her website to repeal the law. Yet despite the rhetoric, King recently released the endorsement of HOSAPAC, the lobby group for the Texas Hospital Association (THA). The organization supports grow-government policies that protect harmful bureaucracies. Most egregious though is their support of Obamacare.

Believing voters and legislators can be tricked into supporting Washington, D.C. policies by slapping a “Texas” on the label, the THA calls for the implementation of the “Texas Way Program.” The name attempts to conceal what the program actually is—dressing Obamacare up in a hat and cowboy boots and bringing it to Texas. Despite claims that it is “different” and “free-market based,” it’s clear that the “Texas Way” plan is just code for Medicaid Expansion under Obamacare, an idea rightly condemned by the Texas Public Policy Foundation and other conservative leaders.

But perhaps the deception is hiding in plain sight. Later on in King’s petition, she states:

“We should continue the fight to get back (with no strings-attached) the billions of federal healthcare dollars Texans have already paid to Washington so we can develop our own Texas solution – A healthcare system that makes sense, costs less, and is best for Texans.”

King’s “Texas solution” undoubtedly refers to the THA’s “Texas Way” – Obamacare with some Texas window-dressing.

In every election, voters should examine candidates closely and see who they associated with and what policies they support. A candidate that is cause for concern on the campaign trail is a sure bet to be even more onerous in office.

Cary Cheshire

Cary Cheshire is the executive director of Texans for Strong Borders, a no-compromise non-profit dedicated to restoring security and sovereignty to the citizens of the Lone Star State. For more information visit StrongBorders.org.