Empathy & Sympathy -Things of the Past

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Registered: 03-26-2003
Empathy & Sympathy -Things of the Past
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Fri, 09-25-2009 - 9:24am

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

At the Richmond Times-Dispatch “public square” forum yesterday, Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) took questions from his constituents on the health reform debate for the first time this summer. One such constituent, Patricia Churchill, spoke about a close family member, now unemployed and thus uninsured, who is dying of tumors. Cantor suggested that Churchill’s relative seek “existing government programs” or find charity.

This is all interesting, because Cantor is against a public option, yet he wants Churchill to find a government program (or charity). Yeah, we know how easy that is.


 


CHURCHILL: I have a very close relative, a woman in her early forties, who did have a wonderful, high-paying job, owns her own home and was a real contributing member of society. She lost her job. Just a couple of weeks ago, she found out that she has tumors in her belly and that she needs an operation. Her doctors told her that they are growing and that she needs to get this operation quickly. She has no insurance. I am just wondering gentlemen, we can talk about high-flown ideas and we can talk theory all we want to. But this person is a very close member of my family, she's ill, and she has no way to get this operation. So I'm asking you, what would you do if this were your close relative

CANTOR: First of all, I guess I would ask what the situation is in terms of income eligibility and the existing programs that are out there. Because if we look at the uninsured that are out there right now, there is probably 23, 24% of the uninsured that is already eligible for an existing government program Beyond that, I know that there are programs, there are charitable organizations, there are hospitals here who do provide charity care that if there’s an instance of indigency and the individual is not eligible for existing programs that there can be some cooperative effort. No one in this country, given who we are, should be sitting without an option to go be addressed.


What? Cantor is saying no one in this country should not have an option? That would be the public option, or universal health care, that all other industrialized nations have, in one form or another.


But, truly, why would Representative Cantor CARE about anyone else? He HAS gold standard healthcare for himself and his loved ones. Everyone else can just go DIE.


 

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2008
Fri, 09-25-2009 - 10:01am

" I have a very close relative, a woman in her early forties, who did have a wonderful, high-paying job, owns her own home and was a real contributing member of society. She lost her job."

Thank goodness for COBRA!




Edited 9/25/2009 10:02 am ET by postreply
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2008
Fri, 09-25-2009 - 10:25am

"What? Cantor is saying no one in this country should not have an option? That would be the public option, or universal health care, that all other industrialized nations have, in one form or another."

She has not checked out any available programs now. What good will introducing another public program do her?

Avatar for ddnlj
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 09-25-2009 - 11:10am

What part of unemployed did you miss?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2008
Fri, 09-25-2009 - 11:37am

" what happens you can't make your COBRA payments? "

You're uninsured .... still beats Obamacare, when you don't pay that you'll be in jail.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2001
Fri, 09-25-2009 - 12:30pm
Yup, faulty reasoning. When so many are without insurance, and even working, in this country, that also means people are dying because they cannot afford health insurance and/or don't get it through their employer, and there just are *not* options out there for them, if they can't pay for it. Not everyone can qualify for the welfare options. The only other option is going to emergency when things get bad, but not paying the bill because one doesn't have the funds. Or doing without treatment, medications, surgeries, etc. And seniors are already doing this, too! Someone who's getting high on the hog coverage like Cantor, just doesn't have a clue of the reality out there for so many people. And yet people want to keep it the same as it is right now?! Just boggles the brain, for sure!


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Registered: 03-16-2007
Fri, 09-25-2009 - 12:37pm


Beyond that, I know that there are programs, there are charitable organizations, there are hospitals here who do provide charity care that if there’s an instance of indigency and the individual is not eligible for existing programs that there can be some cooperative effort.>


Really? What charities? They can afford to take on millions of sick people? I'll bet they are thrilled to have Cantor pushing people their way. Hospitals give away free surgeries? Isn't that part of the problem now? Too many of the uninsured using emergency rooms and hospitals? Thanks for telling people where to go and adding millions more unpaid mediacl bills to the rolls Mr. Cantor.


Maybe it varies from state to state, but I do not believe you are

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Registered: 08-30-2002
Fri, 09-25-2009 - 1:00pm

**You're uninsured .... still beats Obamacare, when you don't pay that you'll be in jail.***


Could you please supply a link where it says they are going to "jail" people who don't pay for insurance. Your statement is the first I've heard about this. I've heard about fines, but actual jail time?


Actually, she would be better off in jail. This woman should commit a crime.



iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2008
Fri, 09-25-2009 - 3:05pm

"Could you please supply a link where it says they are going to "jail" people who don't pay for insurance. Your statement is the first I've heard about this. I've heard about fines, but actual jail time?"

http://www.politico.com/livepulse/0909/Ensign_receives_handwritten_confirmation_.html?showall

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2005
Fri, 09-25-2009 - 3:35pm

<>


Have you ever actually had to pay for COBRA?

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2008
Fri, 09-25-2009 - 3:57pm

"Have you ever actually had to pay for COBRA?"

Yes, I have written about it in previous posts.

" (That's more than $14,000 per year.)"

I do about that now in insurance premiums .... not including co-pays and other uncovered medical bills.

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