Why can't we all get KennedyCare?

socialistworker..org ^ | 6/5/08 | Helen Redmond

[melt]

LAST MONTH, Ted Kennedy was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. All the major news outlets provided daily updates on Kennedy's medical treatment and prognosis.

The media failed to point out an important fact: Unlike average Americans, the senator from Massachusetts didn't have to worry for one minute that he wouldn't get the care he needed for his life-threatening cancer.

The president, vice president and members of Congress all enjoy government-financed health care, with few restrictions or prohibitive out-of-pocket co-pays. They are never turned away for pre-existing conditions or denied care for what insurance companies label "experimental treatments" (like the brain surgery Kennedy just underwent).

No, from the moment he had a seizure at his home on Cape Cod and was flown to Boston (an ambulance would have taken too long), until his surgery early this week, he got what the California Nurses Association (CNA) has dubbed "CheneyCare"--named in honor of the vice president with a chronic heart condition, for whom no health care expense is too great.

Kennedy and his family didn't have to spend hours on the phone fighting to get pre-authorization to see a neurosurgeon, and he didn't wait months for an appointment. Within a week, he had a meeting with a group of top-flight neurosurgeons from the country's leading medical institutions to discuss all his options and select a surgeon.

Kennedy didn't have to argue with his insurer to get all those second opinions. And he wasn't told by an insurance company bureaucrat that the surgery wasn't "medically necessary" on the basis that the prognosis for a man his age with a malignant glioma in the parietal lobe is bleak at best.

[melt]

Ted Kennedy & Congress are enjoying the Cadillacs of taxpayer-funded Health Care. But don't worry. When they start Universal Health Care--- they promise to give the rest of us Volkswagons...

[ken21]

he’s got the luck of a cat with 9 lives or bill clinton.

[ClearCase_guy]

Kennedy got the best care possible. And I deserve the same.
Kennedy flew to North Carolina and saw one of the best surgeons in the USA. And I should see him too.
Kennedy became a patient at the Duke medical center and had an army of specialists address his needs. That's what I want.

And not just me. I think all 300 million Americans should get the top flight medical attention available at the Duke Medical Center. Kennedy got it. We all should get it.

Duke can hold us all, right?

[FFranco]

Even if he wasn’t a senator, he would get excellent care. He’s a millionaire.

[2ndDivisionVet]

"Ted Kennedy & Congress are enjoying the Cadillacs of taxpayer-funded Health Care. But don't worry. When they start Universal Health Care--- they promise to give the rest of us Volkswagons..."

If we were only so lucky: They get the Rolls-Royce of healthcare and we will get the used Yugo, (up on blocks, with no engine or transmission) of healthcare aka CubaCare. BTW, I have no dog in this fight, as I get "free" medical care from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

[count-your-change]

Kennedy can pay his own way so his health insurance is a non-issue, with or without insurance he’d get the same care.

[EagleUSA]

Yes, the Congress and the other parasites on American society, take real good care of themselves AT OUR EXPENSE and the bonus of NO ACCOUNTABILITY.

Gee, I wish my job was that good!!!

[Las Vegas Ron]

Not only that...he flew home in a private jet!

[JRandomFreeper]

as I get "free" medical care from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

You have lots of free time, and read lots of books, obviously.

Seriously, thank you for your service.

I can't do any more hurry up and wait. One day the kids will stop by and realize the cats REALLY need cat food. And it won't be my problem anymore.

/johnny

[Gay State Conservative]

Among the things that we “common folk” (meaning slobs who actually work for a living) can be sure of under OsamaCare is that we'll never find ourselves sitting in the same doctor's waiting room as a member of the “progressive” elite and that we'll never be on the same waiting list for a hip replacement,an appointment to see an oncologist or for an opportunity to receive a lung transplant as are the “progressive” elite.

[Las Vegas Ron]

"Gee, I wish my job was that good!!!"

Hell, I'd be happy with they're retirement plan

[Las Vegas Ron]

"Gee, I wish my job was that good!!!"

Hell, I'd be happy with they're retirement plan

[river rat]

“All animals are equal — but some animals are more equal than others”...

Pigs were the superior animals....and Kennedy clearly is a pig of great size and stature.

[taraytarah]

I still think he’s lucky they didn’t do partial-birth-abortion-type brain “surgery” on him; the kind he supports.

[donna]

Dear socialistworker..org,

Go to Cuba. They will give you everything Senator Kennedy got. I promise.

[ldish]

But I bet he didn’t...not a cent of it!

[The Great RJ]

Interesting to note that a Canadian Liberal MP recently sought her cancer treatment in the US rather than in Canada.

[skinkinthegrass]

....and he never held a "real job" in the private sector....
.Joe Kennedy comment about MA Fed. Senate Seat:
"Look, I paid for it," Joe explained. "It belongs in the family."....
and now we have to pay for his expensive (very liberal) health care.

while a WA. State Elderly Lady (w/ cancer) is told, she can't have "cancer treatment(s)"...BUT she can take advantage of their NEW "Doctor-assisted state suicide" health plan.

[smithone]

Nonsense, he received top-notch care because he is a U.S. Senator, not because he's a millionaire.

[Ann Archy]

If he had National Hillary Care, he would NOT get any operation...he would eb sent home to die.