Republican to elderly diabetic woman: "Good luck" finding health insurance
3:20 pm - 06/22/2009
Former Rep. Tom Davis To Elderly Woman With Diabetes: ‘Good Luck’ Finding Health Insurance
On CSPAN’s Washington Journal yesterday, former Republican congressman Tom Davis received a call from an elderly woman named Dorothy, who said that because she has diabetes, health insurance companies “reject” her. “They don’t even want to accept me,” said Dorothy. “Is that, is that possible they could get away with that? That seems like discriminating.”
Davis responded by saying that he understood her “dilemma” and that she probably wouldn’t be able to retire by 62 as she desires. Advising her that she’d be alright if she found “a job with a major employer,” Davis said it would be “difficult” on her own:
Beyond responding to Dorothy with seeming callousness, Davis’ answer to her problem is also contradictory in its approach to a public health care option.
Davis first tells Dorothy that “a government plan” may “be able to help you.” (Which is true.) But when challenged by the later caller, he argued, “I don’t know that she can count on Washington to solve it for her.” In the next sentence, however, he said that she “can probably get some relief” when she qualifies for Medicare, which is government-provided. A NYT/CBS News poll this weekend found that 72 percent of Americans support creating a public health insurance option.
Transcript at source.
On CSPAN’s Washington Journal yesterday, former Republican congressman Tom Davis received a call from an elderly woman named Dorothy, who said that because she has diabetes, health insurance companies “reject” her. “They don’t even want to accept me,” said Dorothy. “Is that, is that possible they could get away with that? That seems like discriminating.”
Davis responded by saying that he understood her “dilemma” and that she probably wouldn’t be able to retire by 62 as she desires. Advising her that she’d be alright if she found “a job with a major employer,” Davis said it would be “difficult” on her own:
DAVIS: I don’t think you’ll find, probably be able to find some health insurance but if its with a small business or you’re going out on your own, it’s difficult at this point. There may be a government plan or private plans that are mandated coming out of this that are maybe able to help you. … I don’t know any reason why you shouldn’t be able to find something out there, but you want to look for an employer that has a health care plan. Good luck.Later in the show, another caller criticized Davis for his “good luck” response, saying that it “encapsulates the entire Republican Party’s attitude towards any problems that are facing the American people today.” Davis replied that he didn’t mean “good luck” as a “kiss off,” but just as “good luck to you as you try to move through this problem.” Watch it:
Beyond responding to Dorothy with seeming callousness, Davis’ answer to her problem is also contradictory in its approach to a public health care option.
Davis first tells Dorothy that “a government plan” may “be able to help you.” (Which is true.) But when challenged by the later caller, he argued, “I don’t know that she can count on Washington to solve it for her.” In the next sentence, however, he said that she “can probably get some relief” when she qualifies for Medicare, which is government-provided. A NYT/CBS News poll this weekend found that 72 percent of Americans support creating a public health insurance option.
Transcript at source.
Dickweed.
But, no. That would be silly.
What a douche
But whatever insurance I find won't do shit for me because it's too expensive, or won't cover... anything I actually need. But I'm insured! Except I'm not.
My problem has always been pre-existing conditions. It's sad when you take a job you hate and you know you'll hate just to get insurance. It seems like an oppressed nation we live in for that reason. But then again, we were an oppressed nation for 8 years there. OT: I wish people would call Bush's reign a coup. Because that's what it was :/
Edited at 2009-06-22 10:42 pm (UTC)
Anyway, I said, "how are these 60-year old grandmothers supposed to figure this out?" He's 63, oops. But my dad's not old at all.
She so rocks.
I ship them IRL.Also, she was totally doing it with Alan.
SARAH JANE/ALAN SHIPPERS UNITE :)
Yes because I'm sure she'll be able to find another employer, easily...
"I don’t know any reason why you shouldn’t be able to find something out there, but you want to look for an employer that has a health care plan. Good luck."
I do! She's 62 and has a preexisting condition. Hell, my mom tried to get health insurance before she had her last surgery and the insurers she called either didn't call back or mail anything to her, or were priced out of her range. The years between your health starting to decline at a faster pace and being eligible for Medicare are some scary ones.
maybe when you're a well paid politician, jobs come easy, but ummm....we happen to be in the middle of a recession. people arent hiring like they used to. the jobs that ARE open are going to be increasingly difficult for older people like Dorothy to obtain. Hell, kids fresh out of college kids are not finding jobs. for this guy to say "well, find a job with a major employer" is condescending and horrifically out of touch. Apparently, he doesnt understand the average joe american doesnt have his connections.
I'm sure he doesn't support a public plan, though, because people like him honestly don't give a fuck if a 62 year old diabetic gets health care. Bootstraps!
I hate people who oppose public health care. Yes, if you oppose it, I hate you, too. OUT! *points to the door leading out of the country*