There is no health insurance problem in this country, says McCain advisor*.
Mr. Goodman, who helped craft Sen. John McCain's health care policy, said anyone with access to an emergency room effectively has insurance...
"So I have a solution. And it will cost not one thin dime," Mr. Goodman said. "The next president of the United States should sign an executive order requiring the Census Bureau to cease and desist from describing any American – even illegal aliens – as uninsured...
"So, there you have it. Voila! Problem solved."
That wasn't so hard after all, whiners.
*Advisory status in dispute; stay tuned.
Good thing he is only a McCain advisor, and not McCain himself. Also a good thing that people who tracked down the article would understand that Goodman was criticizing the accuracy of statistics and never said there was "no health insurance problem in this country".
Posted by: Spag | Aug 28, 2008 at 05:04 PM
Ed:
From the links that you provided, it still appears that the McCain campaign is disavowing Goodman as an advisor. It doesn't look like you can tag the Senator with this one.
Sam:
Goodman was not criticizing the statistics; he was criticizing the definition of uninsured itself, saying that effectively everyone was insured. If you've handled any medically-related debt cases, you would know that his assertion is preposterous.
Posted by: Dave Ribar | Aug 28, 2008 at 05:24 PM
Ed, Can you provide a link to the quote from Goodman that confirms your opening statement of this post?
Posted by: Tony Wilkins | Aug 28, 2008 at 05:29 PM
Sorry, I see that has already been addressed. Disregard.
Posted by: Tony Wilkins | Aug 28, 2008 at 05:30 PM
I propose that when Mr. Goodman is diagnosed with something like, I dunno, colon cancer or a few blocked arteries, he avoid hassling his insurance company and simply go stand in line at the nearest ER. I'm sure they'll be happy to provide him with the necessary treatments and medication.
What a loser. Maybe our hope lies in the fact that so many righties seem too stupid to breed successfully.
Posted by: justcorbly | Aug 28, 2008 at 07:40 PM
I know this topic is loaded for snark, but does anyone recognize how outrageous it is that they (McCain's camp) are so out of touch with the problems of average people? There are those in the U.S. who are going bankrupt who HAVE health insurance, and this dodo announces that all a person needs to do is show up in the ER? The minute a hospital finds out this person earns a wage they can garnish it and essentially ruin the person's life.
I can't imagine that hospital administrator's are very happy with the prospect of citizens listening to this type of advice. Bottom line is most people wish to be responsible, but health care costs have become unmanageable and deductables have risen to the point that a serious illness can lead to financial ruin.
We need national health care NOW. We need politicians who are sensitive to this and are willing to brave the slings and arrows to get us to this point. In other words, we need representatives who hang with their constituents more than they hang with the insurance lobby.
Lord save us from the country club types who wish to make national policy!
Posted by: Ishmael | Aug 28, 2008 at 07:52 PM
Dave, I think we are saying the same thing in different ways. If you read the whole article in the DMN, Goodman is saying that the definition is inaccurate and inflates statistics and that there is a better way of classifying the current state of health care for these purposes. I don't totally agree with him nor disagree with him. I think he undermined the point he was trying to make with a flippant remark.
Still making this McCain's problem is ridiculous. Both McCain and Obama have plans for health care and neither resembles the remark made by Goodman.
Typical Krugman-like tactic from Ed. Guilt by association, and then when it used against someone he supports, cry foul.
Posted by: Spag | Aug 28, 2008 at 08:18 PM
"Good thing he is only a McCain advisor, and not McCain himself." -- Spag
Sure thing, wouldn't want guilt by association impugning a candidate.
Posted by: Roch101 | Aug 28, 2008 at 08:19 PM
Especially when the reports that Goodman was part of the McCain campaign or an advisor are incorrect.
McCain spokesman Taylor Griffin said today:
"Mr. Goodman volunteered his advice to the campaign in the past. However, his philosophy on health care--and especially on the urgency of the problems faced by 45 million uninsured American’s--are clearly out of step with John McCain. Earlier this summer the campaign informed Mr. Goodman that his advice was not required and requested that he not identify himself as being associated with the campaign in any way, including as a volunteer. John McCain could not disagree more strongly with Mr. Goodman. John McCain believes that addressing the problem of the nation’s uninsured is one of our most pressing national priorities. That’s why the McCain health plan will, for the first time, bring health coverage within reach of every American."
Posted by: Spag | Aug 28, 2008 at 08:53 PM
Prior relationships are not an issue. Well put.
Posted by: Roch101 | Aug 28, 2008 at 09:47 PM
"volunteered his advice" does not constitute a prior relationship.
Posted by: Tony Wilkins | Aug 28, 2008 at 10:11 PM
And that isn't what I said either, Roch. Nice setup, though.
Posted by: Spag | Aug 28, 2008 at 11:52 PM
Hypo... never mind. It's obvious.
Posted by: Roch101 | Aug 29, 2008 at 07:55 AM
"offered his advice" vs 20 year relationships. Nice try Roch. Not even close. I dont think even you believe your hal hearted stab!
Posted by: mick | Aug 29, 2008 at 08:12 AM
Hmmm...I must call and tell my friend who is having to sell a property to pay her medical treatment debts that there is no health insurance problem in the USA...what effing country does this guy live in?
Posted by: Graham Shevlin | Aug 29, 2008 at 12:50 PM