Rep. Jason Chaffetz tells lower-income Americans to make a choice between their iPhone and health care

Rep. Jason Chaffetz tells lower income Americans how to make healthcare work for them.
(Image credit: Twitter/@CNN)

When it comes to health care, Republicans want the American people to have choices. That privilege comes with a dose of responsibility, though, Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) said Tuesday on CNN's New Day.

Responding to host Alisyn Camerota's challenge that "access for lower-income Americans doesn't equal coverage," Chaffetz explained that "Americans have choices, and they've got to make a choice."

For example: "Maybe rather than getting that new iPhone that they just love and want to go spend hundreds of dollars on, maybe they should invest [that money] in their own health care," Chaffetz said.

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Many people were unimpressed by his pitch. "This proves how disconnected from reality Chaffetz is," one Twitter user wrote. "Maybe I shouldn't invest in food and clothing, only health care!"

"So instead of guaranteed access to health insurance, the [Affordable Care Act] replacement will feature guys like Chaffetz shaming low-income Americans," said another. Jeva Lange

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.