Also during yesterday’s Medi-Cal budget subcommittee Sen. Mark Wyland, R-Escondido, made an unseemly and untimely remark.
It was during discussion about the governor’s proposal to stop paying the $100/month Medicare Part B (drs offfice visits) premium for seniors who earn at least $13,416 a year. Here’s how the math works out: It means that seniors who receive $1,118 a month would now have to dedicate $100 of their paltry monthly earnings to be able to see a doctor.
Asked whether any lawmakers had questions about the cut, Wyland piped up:
“Just to say, Madam Chair, we do support the governor’s proposals.”
I have no idea what inspired Wyland to be so enthusiastic about this cut — particularly after a string of witnesses explained the hardship this population already endures. Or why he thought this was a particularly useful insight that added value to the conversation — right then.
It was very very strange.