Fox guest says that under health reform, he might have to "let" his wife "suffer until she passes on"
From the August 17 edition of Fox News' Fox & Friends:
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After guest Mary Liste asks, "What will happen to us people that are elderly?," Fox & Friends co-host Gretchen Carlson concludes her interview with the couple by saying: "Well, and we all have parents -- at least I do -- in your age bracket as well, so many of us are asking some of the same questions."
From the August 17 edition of Fox News' Fox & Friends:
CARLSON: Well, that was President Barack Obama at a recent town hall in Grand Junction, Colorado, affirming the AARP support for health care reform. But that's sparking some controversy among the group's members. Joining me right now from Cleveland, Ohio, are two of those members, Patrick and Mary List. Good morning to you.
PATRICK LISTE: Good morning, Gretchen.
MARY LIST: Good morning, Gretchen.
CARLSON: Now, I understand that both of you have decided that you no longer want to be members of the AARP. Why?
PATRICK LISTE: That -- well, the AARP is backing something that is not going to be in the range of our ages. The AARP is backing a national health care plan. To me, if this national health care plan goes through, me and my age of over 70 -- going to be 73, my wife is going to be 70 -- we may be rationed out of the care. And if we are, we're both going to have to give up. I'm going to have to give up my wife, because she costs insurance a lot of money, and it's taking care of the things she's had as far as cancer for 17 years.
CARLSON: You know, I just have to say, Patrick, when you said that my heart sunk. You said you'd have to give up your wife? Mary --
PATRICK LISTE: I'd have to give her up -- yeah, if she couldn't get the medication. They're starting her on a new regimen this coming Wednesday that's going to be more horrific to her body, but it is also going to be more expensive. And if they determine that because she's 70 years old, she no longer is eligible because there's younger people that want to use this money, what am I going to do? I'll just say goodbye. Let her suffer until she passes on.
CARLSON: Oh, my goodness. Well, Mary, I know that you've been battling cancer for some time.
MARY LISTE: Yes.
CARLSON: This will be -- will this be your fourth or fifth regiment of treatment?
MARY LISTE: This is my fourth treatment.
CARLSON: And your fears -- this is a disease that you've been trying to overcome -- your fears with the AARP supporting health care reform are what?
MARY LISTE: Well, like I said and my husband said, I'm very worried that because of my age, and I'd have to go and have more cancer treatments, what will happen to me? I'm very worried about me and the future of my children and children's. I'm very concerned about this, because what will happen to us people that are elderly?
CARLSON: Well, and we all have parents -- at least I do -- in your age bracket as well, so many of us are asking some of the same questions. Patrick and Mary Liste, thank you so much for sharing your story with me today.
PATRICK LISTE: Gretchen, thank you so very much. Thanks.
MARY LISTE: Thank you, Gretchen.
CARLSON: You're welcome.
But acorn manages to find those people in every state and in every election. Coincidence? Hmm, seems more like a pattern.
What is this guy actually asking for here? I'm pretty sure end of life planning, the thing everyone was up in arms about, would address, specifically, this issue that this man is concerned about.
The ironic part is they are against it for if might raise their costs. They are afraid of reform, which will lower the cost of health care for all. It is amazing what a massive propaganda machine can do.
I bet they love Medicare part D. There is a huge doughnut in it where they have to pay all the cost of the medicine and the government is not allowed to negotiate so they can have the lowest cost possible. I wonder what they would think if someone told them, they could get their medicine cheaper.
He said: To me, if this national health care plan goes through, me and my age of over 70 -- going to be 73, my wife is going to be 70 -- we may be rationed out of the care.
She said: "...I'm very worried that because of my age, and I'd have to go and have more cancer treatments, what will happen to me? I'm very worried about me and the future of my children and children's. I'm very concerned about this, because what will happen to us..."
So, he's worried he and his wife will be rationed out of care. But they have Medicare, and that will not change. His fear is easy to lay to rest. She obviously fears change, and the uncertainty that comes with it. Pointing out that nothing will change for those covered under Medicare would also have put some of her fears to rest.
Instead, Ms. Carlson chose to wring her hands and continue to propagate the myth that there was indeed something to fear, and 'what can we do?' She did the public at large and these two FOX viewers a grave disservice.
How many seniors watch as their children's financial status changes due to job loss, illness or an inability to keep up with the rising cost of living?
How many seniors are pitching in to help their children just eke by? How many seniors see their grandchildren lose health insurance due to a parent's job loss?
I think America needs to use the Sarah Silverman tactic of having children talk to their parents and grand parents and explain that seniors have coverage for most things but a sizable portion of younger Americans don't have health insurance for themselves or their children.
Don't be fooled. Fox and the rest of the propaganda outlets for right wing America would have us believe that all seniors are angry and all seniors are opposed to seeing their children and grand children covered by health insurance. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The only way to stop this dead in it's tracks is for seniors to stand up for their children.
They didn't have to troll too far to find these two...
Do these seniors not remember the Social Security Act of 1965? They need to ask themselves, does this all seem familiar.
There was a Democratic President (LBJ)
2-1 Democratic majority in the House
32 Member Senatorial majority.
Those who opposed Medicare (The AMA), switched from opposing it to drafting their own bill.
When deliberations began in 1965, both AMA members and their suggestions were rejected due to the AMA’s unruly conduct at meetings.
These Seniors understand now how vital their Medicare is to their survival. I just wish they would understand that the same people who's lies they believe and support today, are the same people that would have prevented them from having Medicare in 1965.
Only if you had a heart.