Vice President Mike Pence was nostalgic Wednesday, citing his teenage years working at his family’s gas station to make his point that he, like President Donald Trump, understands business.
“I’ll make you a promise. President Trump is the best friend that small businesses will ever have,” Pence told several hundred Republican supporters in Fenton at Fabick Cat, a family-owned business that specializes in construction equipment.
He added that Fabick’s success exemplifies the vision that he and Trump have when it comes to helping businesses to succeed.
“We’re rolling back taxes and we’re rolling back red tape already in Washington, D.C.,’’ Pence said to some of the loudest cheers during his 20-minute address.
“Trump and I know that when small business is strong, America is strong.”
Pledged strong replacement to ACA
But the audience’s response seemed somewhat muted when Pence resurrected the long-standing GOP promise to get rid of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.
Pence cited the increases in insurance premiums and deductibles since the federal health insurance program went into effect six years ago.
“Obamacare is a job killer, and everybody knows it,” Pence said.
But rank-and-file Republicans have expressed concerns about what will replace the ACA and congressional members have yet to coalesce behind one proposal.
Pence seemed to sense such sentiments, as he went on to detail some replacement options – such allowing people to purchase insurance across state lines “the way you purchase life insurance and the way you purchase car insurance.”
“President Trump and I want every American to have access to quality and affordable health insurance,” Pence said.
He later added, “We truly do believe those free-market principles, individual responsibility and consumer choice can make the best health care system in America married to the best health insurance system in America as well.”
Pence did not mention that, as governor of Indiana, he expanded Medicaid as recommended under the Affordable Care Act.
Republicans in Missouri have blocked any expansion efforts. And new Gov. Eric Greitens, who accompanied Pence in Fenton, has repeatedly emphasized that he opposes any such expansion. Since taking office, Greitens has made some trims in the state’s existing Medicaid program in order to help balance Missouri’s budget.
Pence decries destruction at Jewish cemetery
Before launching into his business message, Pence first highlighted his distress – and Trump’s disgust – at the weekend vandalism at a Jewish cemetery in University City.
“We condemn this vile act of vandalism and those who perpetrated it in the strongest possible terms,’’ Pence said.
After his address, he joined Greitens in visiting the cemetery before leaving to return to Washington.
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