"The truth is she died because she couldn't afford to live, which should never happen in America."

[trailmonkee]

Last edited Fri Oct 12, 2012, 03:28 PM - Edit history (1)

Mitt Romney's Hospital Comment 'Frightening' To Uninsured Woman

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney says that thanks to hospitals, Americans who lack health insurance don't have it so bad.

"We don't have a setting across this country where if you don't have insurance, we just say to you, 'Tough luck, you're going to die when you have your heart attack,'" Romney told The Columbus Dispatch on Wednesday, explaining why repealing President Obama's health care reform law would not result in catastrophe for sick people who can't buy insurance.

"No, you go to the hospital, you get treated, you get care, and it's paid for, either by charity, the government or by the hospital," Romney continued. "We don't have people that become ill, who die in their apartment because they don't have insurance."

Lianne Valenti said she finds Romney's comment "frightening."

-snip-

As governor of Massachusetts, Romney championed a health care law requiring state residents to buy insurance while subsidizing the cost for poorer people. Romney's law, which has reduced emergency rooms visits, served as a blueprint for Obamacare.

Numerous studies have suggested that thousands of Americans die prematurely every year for lack of health insurance. Nearly 50 million are uninsured.

Romney's comment brought to Valenti's mind the recently reported death of an apparently homeless woman outside city hall in Long Beach. Police called it an "undetermined death," according to the Long Beach Post.

In an email on Thursday, Valenti said, "The truth is she died because she couldn't afford to live, which should never happen in America."

full article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/12/mitt-romney-hospital-uninsured_n_1961701.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003

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(long beach article: http://www.lbpost.com/news/2000000802-breaking-body-of-deceased-woman-found-downtown-no-foul-play-suspected)

[OldDem2012]

1. It's truly frightening that so many Americans are one catastrophe away from being homeless. nt.

[justabob]

4. not even one catastrophe... a minor crisis

would be enough for a lot of people, even if they have a job. It shouldn't be this way.

[HiPointDem]

2. kr

[annabanana]

3. I found his statement profoundly immoral

AND disgusting.

[Zalatix]

5. Poor people dying is a part of Romney's plan. Who doesn't see that?

[progressivebydesign]

6. No insurance? You get sick, you go to hospital, and your life is ruined with medical bills.

Mitt is so fucking out of touch.

[Thav]

9. Have insurance? You get sick, you go to the hospital, and your life is ruined with medical bills.

My family has health insurance. With my wife's first pregnancy, she got sick - pre-eclampsia (complication of pregnancy). Then she got really sick - HELLP syndrome (rare complication of pre-eclampsia). Then she and my son almost died, I think the words the doctor used were "We need to do a c-section now before it's too late."

That was 5am on a Sunday.

Later, the insurance company tried to duck paying because it wasn't pre-authorized. I fought them forever on this, and won a small victory. I just finished paying bills on this last year. My son is now 7. The best part? My employer switched insurances about 2 months later and I had to start over with deductibles and out-of-pocket.

Just because you have insurance, doesn't mean you have health care coverage.

[Whovian]

10. So sorry for your problems. I hope all turned out well.

Many people are in the same boat as you. EVEN WITH INSURANCE many can be bankrupted by a medical emegency.

[Thav]

12. Except for 7 years of debt, yes.

Everyone is well.

[trailmonkee]

11. sorry about all that you went through...

many blessings to you and your family

[Whovian]

7. That's me and I have insurance.

I keep it for catastrophic situations but cannot afford the co-pays for drugs or office visits. Not without having to go without food, electricity and insurance for both me and my vehicle. I can't afford a dentist, I suffer from congenital heart failure and do without the meds prescribed because it's a choice of starving to death or visiting a doctor and getting drugs that will keep me alive.

I've pretty much given in to the idea that I will die early.

I get daily calls from my CFH event creditors in which the lion's share was paid by my insurance but since I only get appx 250 a week in income they want more than I can afford. I have lost my car, have only a motorcycle, live in a rural area with no public transportation.

The only reason I have internet is the fact that I am essentially homebound and my meager income is via the internet as a webmaster for a local corporation.

Our health services in this country have become members of the dark side.

[trailmonkee]

8. god bless.... you have an important story and example to share....

thank you

[SammyWinstonJack]

13. This is good coming from someone who no doubt has a concierge doctor on call 24/7.

He is either a liar! or delusional and he certainly lacks even the tiniest bit of empathy for the 99 percent.

He is vile!