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Limbaugh's health care plan: Get rich or die tryin'

February 26, 2010 5:45 pm ET — 49 Comments

Throughout the health care debate, Rush Limbaugh has gradually rolled out his health care plan. The provisions of the plan include being rich, eating applesauce if you can't afford dentures, and not breaking your wrist.

Limbaugh's health care plan: "If you don't have any teeth, so what? What's applesauce for?" In February 25 comments, Limbaugh stated:

LIMBAUGH: You know I'm getting so many people -- this Louise Slaughter comment on the dentures? I'm getting so many people -- this is big, I mean, that gets a one-time mention for a laugh, but there are people out there that think this is huge because it's so stupid. I mean, for example, well, what's wrong with using a dead person's teeth? Aren't the Democrats big into recycling? Save the planet? And so what? So if you don't have any teeth, so what? What's applesauce for? Isn't that why they make applesauce?

Limbaugh mocked story of transplant patient on Medicare who will have to pay own bills after three years. On February 26, referring to a story Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) recounted at President Obama's health care summit, Limbaugh stated:

LIMBAUGH: This patient was about to receive a transplanted organ -- Clyburn didn't specify what it was -- and the horror -- he's gonna get a -- he's gonna get a totally paid-for transplant. The horror is that he was going to have to start paying his post-op bills in three years.

If this is the worst we can say about American medicine, are we really in that bad a shape after all?

I have a different observation on this. I mean, look at where we are with this. This guy is -- he about had an emotional breakdown 'cause he was told he's gotta start paying his own medical bills after three years. He gets a free transplant; he gets a free after-care for three years and then he's on his own, and he's mad and thinks he's getting screwed.

Limbaugh: "I don't believe anybody in this country is dying because of a lack of health insurance." In September 2009, Limbaugh stated:

LIMBAUGH: I don't believe anybody in this country is dying because of a lack of health insurance, but that's what Obama's saying -- and Obama's the grand poobah. So Elijah Cummings goes out there and reports it, repeats it, and so forth and so on, and this is how these things become monstrous. Then the drive-bys pick it up, and, before you know it, 45,000 people a year -- 45,000 people a year are dying, dying, dying because -- and the Democrat Party is obsessed with death.

Life? No. Abortion, euthanasia -- liberty? No. Slavery, subordination to government, pursuit of happiness -- not possible. I've yet to meet a happy liberal. They're angry, deranged lunatics. They don't want to enjoy life.

In fact, according to the American Journal of Public Health, "[l]ack of health insurance leads to 45,000 excess deaths annually."

Limbaugh said his health care in Hawaii cost less than half the "average SUV" of the "average American family." On January 6, Limbaugh had the following exchange with a caller about health care and his treatment in Hawaii:

LIMBAUGH: It did not cost anywhere near $40,000.

CALLER: OK.

LIMBAUGH: It cost less. Not -- it didn't even cost half what the average SUV owned by the average American family is.

CALLER: Right.

LIMBAUGH: Now, you say that the average working man couldn't come up with a payment plan, couldn't afford this --

CALLER: Right.

LIMBAUGH: -- because of the American lifestyle. You gotta have your mortgage, you gotta have a car, you gotta have this, that, and the other. And then you say -- then you say that this is why liberals are for health care, because they're compassionate. What you're saying is, you want me and other citizens to pay for your health care that you don't want to have to pay for. Who do you think is going to pay for it if you don't?

CALLER: But you're paying for it anyway by the people who are not insured anyway. The premiums that you're paying or if you had a traditional health --

LIMBAUGH: I don't -- I don't pay premiums. I purposely opt out of the health insurance system on --because of my own proclivities. I just don't want to be involved in a bureaucracy. I have no desire to have a government bureaucrat in the state or an insurance company bureaucrat deciding, getting in the way between my [sic] and my doctor. Now I know I'm very lucky in this, but it's something I've worked for.

CALLER: Yeah. But there's only --

LIMBAUGH: And then we could get to -- now it used to be that way for everybody in this country.

CALLER: But the system --

LIMBAUGH: It used to be until liberals got involved in this. When I was kid, went to the doctor, they sent a bill -- hospital sent a bill. Medicare, Medicaid come into play. All this -- the government creating HMOs -- thank you, Ted Kennedy -- prices start to skyrocket. There's no reason this had to happen. And there's no reason we can't go back to the way it was.

Limbaugh: "I'm providing leadership" by choosing to be "one of the 47 million uninsured." In January 7 comments on his treatment in Hawaii, Limbaugh stated:

LIMBAUGH: I'm one of the 47 million uninsured, and I'm -- look at me in one way, I'm providing leadership. I'm advocating a system get reformed so that people can afford it; that there be a relationship between the patient and the provider and the hospital without some middleman or two where people could actually afford it just as they're able to afford other services throughout our economy. The -- but you hear here that -- he's a multimillionaire -- only Limbaugh could afford that. That's such a misrepresentation of the truth.

I'll just tell you: If you can afford a car, you can afford what I did in the hospital. If you can afford a pretty expansive media room, you can afford what I spent in the hospital, and with all the tests and everything else. I just -- if you can afford an SUV, you could have gone to the hospital three or four times for what I had. It's just a matter of choice. It's just a matter of what you want to budget for and pay for. But, Rush, we gotta have a car to get to work, and we gotta have a house, and so on. Yeah, but everybody says they gotta have health care, too. But people don't prioritize it the way they do other things.

Limbaugh told caller who can't afford $6,000 to treat broken wrist: "Well, you shouldn't have broken your wrist." In August 2009, Limbaugh had the following exchange with a caller:

CALLER: If we pay for our health care ourselves, would it bring costs down?

LIMBAUGH: Yeah, it would, if -- with other -- yeah, if you get some other players out of the game, yeah -- of course.

CALLER: What do you mean by "other players"? I'm sorry.

LIMBAUGH: Government -- get the government out of it. Get the government -- their stupid regulations. Get the government out of Medicare. You -- look it, the only way that cost or price ratios make sense is based on the consumer's ability to pay. There has to be a direct relationship between the customer and the business at the surface.

CALLER: OK. I just broke my wrist and it's costing me $6,000. I can't afford that.

LIMBAUGH: Well, you shouldn't have broken your wrist.

CALLER: That's true.

LIMBAUGH: You know why it costs $6,000? Because you, technically, aren't paying for it. An insurance policy's paying for it, backed up by some government insurance policy, or what have you.

Limbaugh: "[T]here's no federal dog health care plan out there, and it's working just fine." Talking about a friend's puppy in June 2009, Limbaugh stated:

LIMBAUGH: The private sector is providing dog owners every option they want for their dogs to be cared for in a great way. And if you just want to park the dog in a kennel you can do that, too. If you want to go high end, you can do that. But it's all private sector. Now it's cheaper than human care, don't misunderstand. But you know how people are with their animals.

Limbaugh later said:

LIMBAUGH: Why go through this, all this list of options that a dog owner has for its health, for its well-being, and they're all in the private sector and there's no federal dog health care plan out there, and it's working just fine. And it's based on the dog owner's ability to pay. There's no insurance involved; some of them don't even take credit cards -- but it works.

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    • Author by Dradeeus (February 26, 2010 5:48 pm ET)
      18  
      CALLER: OK. I just broke my wrist and it's costing me $6,000. I can't afford that.

      LIMBAUGH: Well, you shouldn't have broken your wrist.

      CALLER: That's true.


      ...Probably still listening to Limbaugh on a daily basis...
      Report Abuse
      • Author by John Paradox (February 26, 2010 9:45 pm ET)
        8  
        That's one of my favorite calls, as I noted in the comments of the story, the caller got away with a quick "FU" that Limbaugh didn't catch.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by Don Hussein Fabuloso (February 27, 2010 12:31 am ET)
          8  
          I don't even understand Boss Hogg's response ( not that he ever makes any sense). It sounds like the caller is saying he's paying 6 grand out-of-pocket, and Professor Lushbo is saying that it costs him a lot because somebody else is paying for it.

          Seems a bit azz-backward to me. If somebody else pays for my dinner, it always costs me less than paying for my own dinner. But then, I don't live on Planet Wingnut.
          Report Abuse
    • Author by worrierking (February 26, 2010 6:00 pm ET)
      9  
      Rush shows his ignorance in one more subject, Veterinary Medicine.

      Hey Rush, could you give you're injured listener a hand the next time he watches Bible Spice preach?

      I know how excited you guys get watching her and he'll probably need a little relief (if you know what I mean).
      Report Abuse
    • Author by foghornleghorn (February 26, 2010 6:40 pm ET)
      12  
      Get the government out of Medicare - Rush

      We tried that with Medicare Part D. Turned out to be nothing but a gift of billions of dollars to the insurance companies.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by NiceguyEddie (February 26, 2010 6:59 pm ET)
      8  
      And Rush's plan? Get rich, by lying!

      -----------------------------------------------------------
      What an asp pit.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by foghornleghorn (February 26, 2010 7:01 pm ET)
      9  
      Here's one of the Rethug front runners for the 2012 nomination. He actually wants to allow emergency rooms turn away the poor and uninsured.

      http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/pawlenty-let-ers-turn-away-patients-cut-co
      Report Abuse
      • Author by ForTheLoveOfEllipsis... (February 26, 2010 7:08 pm ET)
        10  
        Any resemblance between a Republican and a human being is purely accidental...
        Report Abuse
    • Author by alienofwar (February 26, 2010 8:57 pm ET)
      9  
      I feel sorry for the people who listen to this man.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by johnny_nyc (February 26, 2010 9:02 pm ET)
      8  
      Limbaugh went to the emergency room, was checked out, and was found to be as healthy as a horse.

      A trip to the hospital like that isn't going to break most Americans.

      Get back to me when he actually has a heart attack, needs heart surgery and a lifelong drug regimen.

      We'll see how much it costs then.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by John Paradox (February 26, 2010 9:19 pm ET)
        6  
        Limbaugh went to the emergency room, was checked out, and was found to be as healthy as a horse.

        At least half as healthy as a horse.. or is that half a horse?

        Just sayin'
        Report Abuse
      • Author by JelloPudding (February 28, 2010 8:55 pm ET)
           
        He does have a lifelong drug regimen, it's just not legitimate.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by mollybeejay (February 27, 2010 12:25 am ET)
      2  
      Limbaugh says he doesn't have insurance because of his proclivities. He means he wants no record of his drug abuse that can be publicized. He can bribe drs. to aid in his abuse of prescription drugs.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by jlkeen (February 27, 2010 10:34 am ET)
      4 6
      For years I’ve supported the leftist idea that the American people deserve the same healthcare that Congress receives. No more.

      I was wrong. My conservative brethren have persuaded me that Congress actually deserves the same healthcare that America receives.

      Please contact your Senators and Representatives and urge them to rescind their current US Government-sponsored healthcare coverage and experience the character-building that comes from the private insurance market! Or they can choose to self-insure like Rush!

      This would be our first step in getting the government out of healthcare. Eliminate Congress' conflict of interest, let them lead by example. Then they can lead by persuading Americans that Medicare and Medicaid need to be eliminated.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by dave (February 27, 2010 12:08 pm ET)
        3 11
        In fact, according to the American Journal of Public Health, "[l]ack of health insurance leads to 45,000 excess deaths annually."

        Well, that was sure a good read. 45,000 people die annually because they are obese, smoking, and engaging in risky sex practices. They aren't dying from lack of insurance, they are dying from their own stupidity.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by congero6189599 (February 27, 2010 12:53 pm ET)
          10  
          That is simply not true. The study found that high blood pressure,diabetes,coronary heart disease and other treatable diseases left untreated cause death and organ failures. They found that those without health insurance had no access to regular doctor visits or the ability to pay for the medication and test needed to treat their illnesses.
          You are lying dispicable selfish person. Had enough of your BS yesterday and here you come with some puke today.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by dave (February 27, 2010 1:33 pm ET)
              7
            Oh that's right. Diabetes, high blood pressure, and coronary disease are not symptoms of obesity. I forgot. The study did mention STD's, smoking, obesity, etc, all of which can be treated with personal lifestyle choices. But if your fat, smoke, have multiple sex partners, you are probably going to die sooner. Sh*t happens.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by watershed (February 27, 2010 1:54 pm ET)
              6  
              "Sh*t happens" is, coincidentally, the Republican health care plan motto. Kudos!
              Report Abuse
            • Author by Johaely (February 27, 2010 3:11 pm ET)
                 
              Then instead of funding health care, lets order the FDA to put heavier regulations on cigarettes and nutrtion facts on the front of the box, and have a better Sex Ed. curriculum and mnore easily accesible condoms, that will fix trhe problem then right?
              Report Abuse
            • Author by ilikeike (February 27, 2010 4:40 pm ET)
              2  
              they are symptoms of unhealthy lifestyles, except when they arent, like my 26 year old non smoking, jogger firefighter friend who had a massive coronary, or my 40 year old uncle who ran marathons and died of heart failure.
              Report Abuse
            • Author by jjamele2880 (February 28, 2010 10:08 am ET)
              6  
              I really want to be there when you have your interview with your Maker. I really, really do.
              Report Abuse
            • Author by jjamele2880 (February 28, 2010 10:32 am ET)
              8  
              My best friend growing up was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 14. He wasn't obese (thin as a rail, in fact.) No STDs, didn't smoke.

              Your stupidity is just plain sad, but not nearly as sad as your lack of humanity. Yes, Sh*t happens. To ALL OF US. The difference is, most civilized people care and want to do something about it, even when it doesn't involve them directly.

              But what would you know about civilized people?
              Report Abuse
          • Author by jjamele2880 (February 28, 2010 10:10 am ET)
            4  
            Conger- Dave knows he's a selfish ass. He's PROUD OF IT.

            He knows he's a cold-blooded, Me First, Last and Always piece of crap. He's PROUD OF IT.

            He spent all day Friday watching himself get schooled by half a dozen people on this site, and the very next day he's back for more. He can't be shamed, he WON'T be educated, and if he has a soul left to be saved, it's a job too big for any of us to handle.
            Report Abuse
        • Author by foghornleghorn (February 27, 2010 3:08 pm ET)
          7  
          They aren't dying from lack of insurance, they are dying from their own stupidity.

          Tell that to the parents of the 5-year old who just died because the insurance company vampires wouldn't fund a treatment his doctor recommended.

          Was this 5-year old a stupid, obese smoker?
          Report Abuse
          • Author by Conchobhar (February 27, 2010 8:45 pm ET)
            5  
            No reply from "Dave." What a shock.
            Report Abuse
          • Author by dave (February 27, 2010 11:26 pm ET)
            1 7
            OK, that's 1. 44,999 more to go. You sound like Louise Slaughter. And Conchobhar, its Saturday night, cut me some slack...I was out.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by jjamele2880 (February 28, 2010 10:28 am ET)
              6  
              "OK, that's 1. 44,999 to go."

              Seriously, could you be more inhuman, you disgusting pig? You'll buy the need for health care reform when we can document all 45,000 deaths?

              "Ok, that's 1. 44,999 to go."

              Your mom must be so proud of the monster that used to live inside her. What a despicable ass you are.
              Report Abuse
              • Author by zenphoenix42 (February 28, 2010 1:38 pm ET)
                   
                Not to mention, that's 1 more SPECIFIC case than Dave has pointed out. Only 45,000 more to go, Dave.
                Report Abuse
              • Author by mescal (March 01, 2010 3:18 am ET)
                1  
                You're going way too easy on this self-absorbed ass wipe, jjamele.
                Report Abuse
            • Author by Conchobhar (March 01, 2010 1:12 am ET)
              2  
              You're out all right. And I'll cut you slack if you promise to use it to hang yourself.
              Report Abuse
          • Author by jjamele2880 (February 28, 2010 10:06 am ET)
            6  
            "He should have gone into the mines to work and earn money to pay for his own treatment. Oh, that's right- government regulations don't let children work in the mines anymore. See, it's government's fault. Government killed that kid."

            "And anyway, it's not my kid. Not my responsibility."

            --Dave's Intern
            Report Abuse
        • Author by hooboy (February 27, 2010 4:57 pm ET)
            1
          "[l]ack of health insurance leads to 45,000 excess deaths annually."
          ----
          How many people die each year who have Health Insurance.

          And when did those 45,000 die?

          Remember: Health costs in this country are so high, because a $5,000 funeral is delayed by a $250,000 medical procedure.

          Report Abuse
        • Author by jjamele2880 (February 28, 2010 10:05 am ET)
          5  
          Oh look everybody, Selfish and Proud of It Dave is back for more fun.
          Report Abuse
        • Author by mescal (March 01, 2010 3:15 am ET)
          2  
          If stupidity killed people, dave, then the rest of us wouldn't have had the opportunity to read your posts.
          Report Abuse
    • Author by hooboy (February 27, 2010 12:58 pm ET)
        2
      When I was born, no one had medical insurance, and the patient lived until he died.

      These days we have medical insurance, and guess what, the patient lives until he dies.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by peets101 (February 27, 2010 12:58 pm ET)
      1  
      Rush and others like him who act as if wealth is created out of thin air fail to acknowledge the fact that their success depends on the existence of a vast commons which we all pay for. Put them on a desert island with, say, a carpenter or a mechanic and let's see who is able to create the most value using their mind and body. Who would you choose to be with on that island? Without the courts, police, fire, roads, schools, power companies, airlines, minerals, etc, provided, supported or owned by their fellow citizens, they would have no ability to produce a damn thing. This fact makes it reasonable and necessary for them to give back to the system, proportionately to what wealth they extract from it.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by fantagor (February 27, 2010 5:53 pm ET)
      8  
      The Conservative Mantra:

      "I've got mine, you get yours. Just don't take any of mine to do it, even though I got mine by taking it from others."

      Randy
      Report Abuse
      • Author by TheSarge (February 27, 2010 11:57 pm ET)
        6  
        Yes, the American Conservative (Neoconious rectumitus)is a greedy animal.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by dave (February 28, 2010 12:54 am ET)
          1 10
          I don't know if he's greedy, I'm guessing he's just had it with never ending and always increasing taxes.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by congero6189599 (February 28, 2010 5:03 am ET)
            6  
            Zzzzzzzzzzzzz! SOS from Repugnicans!
            Report Abuse
            • Author by jjamele2880 (February 28, 2010 10:22 am ET)
              8 1
              Zzzzzzzzz is right. "Never ending and always increasing taxes?"

              1. If you want services and don't want to pass the costs on to the next generation, you are going to pay for those services now. That's what taxes do.

              2. "Always increasing?" Really? The tax burden on the middle and upper classes is FAR LESS today than it was in the 1970s, and vastly less than it was in the 1950s. People like Dave are just insufferable whiners.
              Report Abuse
    • Author by jtblaq (February 28, 2010 5:06 pm ET)
         
      america we've gotten lazy once upon a time i had zenith and rca now its sony,samsung and honda if we made things still instead of looking for the remote we'd all be better off
      Report Abuse
    • Author by Durbin (March 01, 2010 4:55 pm ET)
         
      Hi Im durbin. I can draw a dick. I build houses and fight crime with my dick out. I need health care because i nailed my dick to a 2x4. My dick needs health care badly.
      Report Abuse

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