DNC Chair Blasts Republican Over iPhone-Healthcare Comments

Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez on Tuesday blasted Republican Congressman Jason Chaffetz over his insulting remarks that poor Americans should choose between buying a new iPhone and affording health insurance.

“Rep. Jason Chaffetz is a shameless hypocrite,” Perez said in statement.

“He makes a six-figure taxpayer salary, has taxpayer subsidized healthcare, and he still thinks working Americans should be forced to choose between health insurance or owning a telephone.”

“It’s no wonder why Republicans kept their plan hidden for so long,” said Perez, who was former President Barack Obama’s Labor secretary. “It’s also glaringly obvious why they’re so desperate to ram it through Congress — they don’t want the public to find out what’s in it.”

“If passed, this plan will throw millions of Americans off their healthcare and make it more expensive for millions more, especially seniors who will see cuts to Medicaid and increased premiums. For many Americans, it’s a death sentence,” Perez said.