Desperate parents with sick kids plead with McSame (video)

This is Day Two of John McSame's "Call to Action" (I kid you not), Healthcare Tour.

Yesterday he was at Miami Children's Hospital.  Here's a video of several desperate parents explaining to McBush what it's like to have a sick child.

As you might expect, the fawning media stenographers are taking dictation very well.  This morning, Mike Allen a well-insured stenographer at The Politico weighs in.

McCain moves to middle on health care

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is proposing a greater federal commitment to people without health insurance on Tuesday, suggesting that it help funds states to set up non-profit risk pools to help Americans who are denied coverage or can’t afford it.

http://www.politico.com/...

Meet one of the desperate parents.

McCain Hears Plea on Health Insurance

Steve Bernard was talking about treatments for his 9-year-old son, Jake, who was born with a cleft lip and palate. Jake has already undergone numerous surgeries with more to come. Bernard described his battle to get insurance coverage for speech therapy. "Every time they say, `No, speech therapy isn’t covered,’ and we say, `yes it is covered.’ As a matter of fact in the state of Florida there are specific statutes that were created by other parents of kids with clefts that will protect those kids."

He ended his comments with a plea to McCain, whose adopted daughter, Bridget, also had a cleft palate: "If there’s ever going to be somebody in leadership position who is going to know it, it’s going to be you, and we’re hoping you understand that," Bernard said.

Left unsaid was that McCain’s health plan is designed to weaken state regulations like the one in Florida that, like 14 other states, mandates that insurance companies cover treatment for cleft palates. McCain says that mandates like this one drive up the cost of insurance, and he would allow people to buy coverage across state lines. Many experts predict that under this system, insurance companies would simply gravitate to the states with the fewest rules.

http://blogs.wsj.com/...

When McCain's senior health advisor was asked about this reality, he responded as follows. Again, I kid you not.

Asked about the contradiction between the family on the stage and the McCain policy, McCain senior policy adviser Douglas Holtz-Eakin said that the marketplace will fill the void. If there is a demand for this kind of coverage, he said, some insurance company will offer it. "There are boutique products in every other market," he said.

http://blogs.wsj.com/...

McSame's plan would not guarantee coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. Period. That means almost all of us are shit out of luck. But keep in mind the media wants you to think McSame is moving to the center.  The narrative is that McSame and Cindy care about you, your family and your problems.  

What they don't want you to know, is that anyone who has had a single health issue would be subject to the pre-exisiting condition exclusion.  Cancer, diabetes, ingrown toenails, jock itch, expectant fatherhood, allergies, you name it. Go away. In the America John McSame hopes to lead, only the rich and healthy are worthy of healthcare.

In fact, under McSame's plan, insurance companies would get much broader latitude than they currently have to cherry pick who to cover and who not to cover. Since people with pre-existing conditions are expensive, those of us not in perfect health would have to declare medical asylum and try to get into Canada.  Today, is one of those days, I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

How about this from the New York Times? More from Mr. Holtz-Eakin who will undoubtedly be running the healthcare operations in a McSame White House.

How, he was asked, would the plan ensure that people who have sudden needs for policies with special coverage would not be denied because of pre-existing conditions? Mr. Holtz-Eakin said Mr. McCain would discuss that very issue on Tuesday.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/...

Are you scared yet?

Mad as hell?  June 19, in S.F. fight back against AHIP and for-profit healthcare.

•  McSame is so out of touch . . .

  and the media is so responsible and truly negligent for framing his crap in the most absurb terms.

  Message to media: McSame's Plan is bad, awful, more-of-the-same, it is NOT MOVING TO THE CENTER.

  by nyceve on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 06:39:25 AM PDT

  •  Talk about a faith-based initiative--the magic

    of the market will fill the gaps. If you believe that, I have a bridge in Brooklyn that I would like to see you.

    by blue jersey mom on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 06:41:36 AM PDT

    •  market competition...

      the health insurance companies compete to see who can grab the healty to pay premiums and who can dodge or dump the sick. That is the only competition in the health insurance marketplace.

      by DrSteveB on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 06:46:26 AM PDT

      •  New poll from kaiser Foundation

        It is inconceivable to me that McCain is doing so well in the polls. This strikes me as a real indictment of what's going on with our Democratic candidates.

        Thi election should not be close.  Something is very wrong.

        Kaiser Health Tracking Poll: Election 2008 -- April 2008

        An April 2008 poll finds that health care costs rank among Americans’ top personal economic problems, and their struggles to deal with those costs have affected both their financial well-being and their family’s health care.  Conducted by the Foundation’s public opinion researchers, the poll probes into the economic concerns facing Americans and the ways they have dealt with the cost of health care.

        Across a series of economic concerns, health care costs rank near the top.  Nearly three in 10 Americans (28 percent) report that they or their families have had a serious problem paying for health care and health insurance as a result of recent changes in the economy, behind paying for gas (44 percent) and about tied with getting a good-paying job or raise in pay (29 percent).  Smaller shares report serious problems paying their rent or mortgage (19 percent), dealing with credit card or other personal debt (18 percent), paying for food (18 percent) or losing money in the stock market (16 percent).

        http://www.kff.org/...

        by nyceve on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 06:50:34 AM PDT

        •  Like kidney stones...

          Regarding McCains equivalency in polls...

          Like kidney stones... hopefully this too will pass

          by DrSteveB on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 06:53:52 AM PDT

          •  Well steve, I've been saying and feeling . . .

            for a long, long time that this election is by no means assured.  And with every passing day, I get a bigger and bigger sinking feeling.

            Just sayin.

            by nyceve on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 07:00:10 AM PDT

    •  And "boutique"?

      WTF is with the word "boutique" this year, and how on earth is health care for people with serious conditions
      "boutique" anyway?

      by paintitblue on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 07:23:05 AM PDT

  •  it is truly a non-plan

    Just filler so he can he has something.

    And why if he care so much has he not sponsered something on health care in all his years in the Senate? Just askin'

    fyi: for the wonks out there is an pretty detailed analysis by in the oh so very moderate HealthCareblog:
    http://www.thehealthcareblog.com/...

    It is way too polite, though there is good stuff in the extended comments.

    by DrSteveB on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 06:43:14 AM PDT

    •  No it isn't

      didn't he say that he was going to not let government decide who gets care (which if we had universal coverage then it would be... ummmm everybody?) but would let families decide what care is covered (* provided of course those families are able to afford that coverage).  Who is he to be blamed if families "decide" not to save their children's lives by not being able to afford the care.  Geezu those families should get their priorities straight and "decide" to make more money.

      Gee it is that simple.  Of course, the sad thing is that there are folks who buy his hoohah.

      by newfie on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 07:06:47 AM PDT

  •  McSame is a tool!

    Ugh...how can anyone take this guy seriously on healthcare?

    What did he say?  Some variation of "Most Americans visit their doctors regularly like I do?"

    Yea, Johnny.  Most Americans who meet several of the following criteria:

    1.  Can afford their own out-of-pocket healthcare

    2.  Work for an employer large enough to be able to provide quasi-affordable healthcare for their employees

    3.  Are legislators who get Cadillac healthcare

    4.  Are rich enough that they don't care about the cost

    5.  Insert more here

    47 million Americans don't meet most (or any) of these criteria.  So what's up with them?  Well, they should get a tax credit, of course!

    So a couple of thousand dollars in tax credits is going to let somebody buy a $12,000 or $15,000 or $20,000 private health care plan?  Seriously?

    Oh...and, of course, less regulation.  There's a winning plan.  Worked for Wall Street, so why not the healthcare industry?  It isn't like we're headed into a recession caused by less regulation or anything...oh, wait...

    Single payer.  Please.  It's the only way.

    Thanks, nyceve.  Tipped & rec'd.

    by DemocraticOz on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 06:51:02 AM PDT

•  How would McCain know anything about health

  insurance? He's never had to procure it. He's been covered by the government and US his entire life. I do not understand how people can be so lead stray by this lying weasel and his wife. Can they not see with their own eyes that he and Cindy have/get cadillac care? It really makes me wonder about people that would vote for those that do not represent their real interests.

  What's worse is when I've heard members of my own family (Repubs) whine about their care/lack of it...and, of course, blame Dems. That's when the arguments begin when I remind them that they voted for the fools that think they're fine with what they have...ppffft. Not that the Dems have made much progress on this front either.

  by Its any one guess on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 06:44:53 AM PDT

•  Shakedown at the hospital doors

  Americans are being shaken down for huge down payments before they are admitted to the hospitals.  One patient was left with her IV pump empty in the hospital, and the nurses refused to refill it, until payment was made!

  Read it and weep.

  in the Wall Street Journal

  by Dustbowl Observer on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 06:45:42 AM PDT

  •  That hospital had net income of $310 million

    last year.

    Its free patient care was less than $100 million.

    The average American "non-profit" hospital made about $400/day/bed profit in 2005.

    by SingleVoter on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 07:25:27 AM PDT

  •  $105,000

    in cash

    She was insured too.

    by SingleVoter on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 07:26:52 AM PDT

    •  AARP insurance

      Will the AARP stand up and fight for its insured?

      by SingleVoter on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 08:27:57 AM PDT

  •  Read what scumbags

    M.D. Anderson were and are.

    It's in Texas.

    by SingleVoter on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 07:36:12 AM PDT

  •  The article also mentions that

    Nataline's family actually rounded up the $75,000 demanded to save her life, but then UCLA demanded $300,000 more.

    by SingleVoter on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 08:22:39 AM PDT

•  Moving to the center is not our main worry

  if we have a Democratic candidate elected.

  Moving way to the right from the center is.

  Eve, I cannot forsee McSame winning this election, but I can forsee a do nothing President that is more worried about the polls of today than the possibilities of tomorrow.

  by funluvn1 on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 06:55:57 AM PDT

•  Great diary. Thank you! n/t

  by Triscula on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 06:56:58 AM PDT

•  let the free market prevail, sure!

  Thanks for another excellent diary on health care in the USA. I want to hear the Republicans and McCain in particular address how this encourages entrepreneurs and the good ole American way.  I want to know how a person with a pre-existing condition or disability is encouraged to start a business or be successful in the workforce or supplement their income beyond their meager disability benefit without losing Medicaid.  
  How many otherwise talented people have been sidelined  because of this?

  by Wendy Slammo on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 06:59:00 AM PDT

•  McCain moving to the middle?

  Problem with that is, when one is so far to the right on an issue, by the time he gets to the real middle which is where most of America is, millions more will already have died.

  BTW, I love this part

  What they don't want you to know, is that anyone who has had a single health issue would be subject to the pre-exisiting condition exclusion.  Cancer, diabetes, ingrown toenails, jock itch, expectant fatherhood, allergies, you name it. Go away. In the America John McSame hopes to lead, only the rich and healthy are worthy of healthcare.

  Ain't that the truth.  Funny and tragic at the same time.

  by DisNoir36 on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 07:00:00 AM PDT

•  McCain's plan for poor and middle class Americans

                     
                       
                         
                             

  by droogie6655321 on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 07:02:21 AM PDT

  •  Mcain's dictation from AHIP

    So of course if McCain's taking dictation from the corporatate overclass AHIP is the middle (aka: Moderate, Straight Talker, etc.)... and therefore that Obama/Clinton is left wing, liberal leftist pinko ComSymp DFHs... then what are us SinglePayer folks who actually have the only plan that provides univerala coverage, comprhensive coverage and cost control for both individuals and the country?

    by DrSteveB on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 07:08:35 AM PDT

•  McCain cares about people?????

  Is it really wrong to call a politician a Monster?

  When, on Nov. 11, 1992, McCain was advised that Dolores Apodaca Alfond, chairwoman of the National Alliance of POW/MIA Families (her pilot brother, Capt. Victor J. Apodaca, is missing in action in North Vietnam), was offering some testimony that was critical of the Senate Committee, he rushed into the room to confront her.

  Award winning journalist Sydney Schanberg described the scene. "His face [McCain] angry and his voice very loud, he accused her of making "allegations ... that are patently and totally false and deceptive." Making a fist, he shook his index finger at her and said she had insulted an emissary to Vietnam sent by President Bush. He said she had insulted other MIA families with her remarks. And then he said, through clenched teeth: "And I am sick and tired of you insulting mine and other people's [patriotism] who happen to have different views than yours."

  By this time, tears were running down Alfond's cheeks. She reached into her handbag for a handkerchief. She tried to speak: "The family members have been waiting for years -- years! And now you're shutting down." He kept interrupting her. She tried to say, through tears, that she had issued no insults. He kept talking over her words. He said she was accusing him and others of "some conspiracy without proof, and some cover-up." She said she was merely seeking "some answers. That is what I am asking." He ripped into her for using the word "fiasco." She replied: "The fiasco was the people that stepped out and said we have written the end, the final chapter to Vietnam." "No one said that," he shouted. "No one said what you are saying they said, Ms. Alfond." And then, his face flaming pink, he stalked out of the room, to shouts of disfavor from members of the audience.

  McCain told reporters, "The people who have done these things are not zealots in a good cause. They are the most craven, most cynical and most despicable human beings to ever run a scam." The Justice Department did investigate the POW/MIA families and activists finding NO scams or reasons to charge anyone.

  Perhaps the best example of his crude treatment of the loved ones of still-unaccounted-for POWs and MIAs is illustrated by an incident that occurred in 1996 when the senator's path crossed with a number of POW-MIA family members outside of a hearing room in Washington.

  Upon leaving the room, McCain immediately quarreled with family members, who were eager to question him on the issue. Instead of answering their questions, the Arizona senator pushed and shoved them out of his way, nearly toppling the wheelchair of POW-MIA mother Jane Duke Gaylor, whose son, Charles Duke, a civilian worker in Vietnam, is among the same 2,300 American POWs and MIAs still unaccounted for

  by Jeffersonian Democrat on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 07:42:19 AM PDT