Government health care rescues protesters at anti-government health care rally.
Government health care rescues protesters at anti-government health care rally.
Thousands of protesters came to Capitol Hill yesterday for Rep. Michele Bachmann’s (R-MN) protest against health care reform, capping months of fear-mongering about the dangers of so-called “socialized” medicine. However, the Washington Post’s Dana Milbank notes that at one point, one of the protesters had a heart attack. Luckily, federally-employed medical personnel were able to quickly attend to him — even though they were part of government-run health care, which is supposedly quite dangerous:
More ominously, a man standing just beyond the TV cameras apparently suffered a heart attack 20 minutes after event began. Medical personnel from the Capitol physician’s office — an entity that could, quite accurately, be labeled government-run health care — rushed over, attaching electrodes to his chest and giving him oxygen and an IV drip.
This turned into an unwanted visual for the speakers, as a D.C. ambulance and firetruck, lights flashing, pulled in just behind the lawmakers. A path was made through the media section, and the patient, attended to by about 10 government medical personnel, was being wheeled away on a stretcher just as House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) stepped to the microphone. “Join us in defeating Pelosi care!” he exhorted. A few members stole a glance at the stretcher.
By the end of the day, “medics had administered government-run health care to at least five people in the crowd who were stricken as they denounced government-run health care.”
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why is it everytime the teabaggging filth descend on washington d.c., they are a drain on our system. last time it was them clogging up/stinking up the public transportation system.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:44 amahhh… God is a democrat
or just has a really nasty sense of humor
November 6th, 2009 at 10:45 amAnother disconnect-from-reality GOP moment.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:45 aminterestingly enough, the four people who stand out the most in this picture…the three old gals in the front and the peepaw holding the sign look like they’re medicare age.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:46 amBy the end of the day, “medics had administered government-run health care to at least five people in the crowd who were stricken as they denounced government-run health care.”
November 6th, 2009 at 10:47 amNo worries. That irony-deficient blood really comes in handy sometimes for the wingnuts, doesn’t it?
I know it’s completely unworthy – but they should have let that stupid teabagging moron die right there on the sidewalk.
No government healthcare, REMEMBER, MORONS???
November 6th, 2009 at 10:49 amAHHH THE IRONY, IT BURNS!!!
November 6th, 2009 at 10:50 am“The ironing is delicious.”
I’m glad everyone is OK, but man. No one could have planned that better.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:52 amSend them the bill.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:52 ami see a lot of medicare recipients in that photo…
and those signs are “professionally” made…
and, if i was that stupid i’d be angry too…
i think they just can’t admit how badly they were duped…
November 6th, 2009 at 10:52 amNo government-run, government-run health care! Government-run health care is ok, though.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:53 amOh, the irony of it all.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:56 amA stricken person was tended by federal health employees: did they ask for his insurance card first?
Sure, teabaggers will say that everyone can get treatment in an emergency at a hospital ER – and that is true – but this guy had a heart attack and treatment with ER personnel will not be sufficient. He will need evaluation tests, follow up treatment, medication and possibly even surgery; that’s where his insurance will have to cough up some bucks.
These people just don’t think clearly – they are being exploited.
A majority of the teabaggers were senior citizens collecting Social Security and Medicare.
Oh hell, what good does it do to try to talk reasonably to these people – they are beyond redemption. It is their leaders who need to be reined in by the reasonable in their party and I see no signs of their wanting to do so. They prefer to let the demagogues take over, as long as it means trouble and dissent against the Democrats and Obama.
Party over people = G(N)O P.
I wonder how many of those old farts have Medicare and Social Security? They have no problem denying milions of Americans life saving Health care do they? Either they are terminally stupid, ignorant or selfish. Either way, they all suck.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:57 amI know it’s early but no mention of this over on the fair and balanced network.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:58 amThis is just to funny. You couldn’t make this shit up if you tried.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:58 amI’m sure the rest of the crowd was berating the federally-employed paramedics for not charging the heart attack victim.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:59 amWhat do they mean, “Keep your hands off my healthcare”? There is nothing in the bill that will effect their healthcare. Are these people braindead of just misinformed by FAUX?
November 6th, 2009 at 11:02 am“I don’t want my tax dollars going to socialist-communist-nazi government health care programs that save the lives of people protesting socialist-communist-nazi government health care programs!”
– The Queen of Hearts, Alice in Wonderland
November 6th, 2009 at 11:03 amFunny how MSM didn’t report this. I mean, they had friggin cameras everywhere. Isn’t it a big story? Ambulances pulling up? The crowd had to clear a path? And I haven’t heard about this til now? Hmmm… It’s almost as if MSM was in co-hoots with the Insurance Industry….. Or am I paranoid?
November 6th, 2009 at 11:03 ammarie, you reminded me, again, of the bushco health care plan:
go to the emergency room…
i still think it was another part of the plan, to drain whatever wealth they could from whatever sources they could…
i’m not sure how well hospital ER’s made out with that plan…
November 6th, 2009 at 11:03 ambut the insurance cos did well, making up the difference from rate increases…
None of them will get the irony.
Not even the ones that were assisted.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:04 amI resent my tax dollars being used to medically treat these traitor teabagger zealots. I say send this heart attack victim a big bill, kick him off medicare if he has it and tell him to go find private health insurance…that should be easy with his history of having a heart attack. Teabagger hypocrites with egg on their faces. Priceless.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:06 amConsidering the average age of the teabaggers looked to be somewhere in the vicinity of “bored and retired” and most of them looked to be fans of bacon only taking five casualties actually seems low. So much for the wingnut estimates on crowd size.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:12 amAnnie, if you’re going to reach these people, you’re going to have to speak a language they understand. I believe in the Teabagger dialect, it’s properly spelled “MORANS”.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:12 amThose teabaggers on SS and Medicare, listen up.
Your fears have been exploited by the demagogues. Medicare will not cut you off, nor will you lose the coverage you have in your supplemental insurance. In fact, the supplemental insurance premiums may be prevented from increasing annually because of the competition that the public option in the bill.
Your drug coverage, which now can fall into the “donut hole” of no coverage at all until you reach $5,000 out of pocket, will gradually be eliminated. The current bill cuts that donut hole by half, with a plan to eliminate that ridiculous clause altogether.
The people who may have to change their coverage are those who are presently not in Medicare per se, but are in a Medicare Advantage plan. These are sold as Medicare plans, but are really owned and operated by the for-profit insurance companies who are getting a hefty subsidy from the feds in order to provide your coverage and yet maintain their profits.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:14 amThose subsidies are going to be cut – it is costing billions of dollars every year, when those same people can be covered under Medicare, for a lot less cost, with a supplemental insurance like the majority of seniors. When the insurance companies find their subsidies reduced, they will pass those losses on to you in the form of increased premiums/less coverage – whatever suits them.
The health care plan will benefit everyone, including seniors, while the losers will be the insurance companies, even if they gain millions of new mandated subscribers, they will have to compete with a public option.
Right now, seniors on Medicare, you already have government health care.
Are you listening to reason or are you listening to the Fox Noise Machine?
Too bad Republicans don’t understand irony.
This story can join a stockpile of ignored realities.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:16 amIrony is too deep for these nutters. They wouldn’t notice it you shoved it up their posterior with a Buie Pile Clamp.
Cheers,
November 6th, 2009 at 11:16 amYeah, I came to me senses. I see the light! I truly believe!
I can see the point of being way too busy with work and that it is enough to email and call Congress to get the health insurance reform with a strong public option. Forget a DC demonstration in favor of health insurance reform! The ship has sailed!
Goodness knows the capitalist, corporate media wouldn’t give it any air time and TP would cover it like they do the anti health insurance reform rallies!
November 6th, 2009 at 11:17 amI refuse to laugh at the irony, as it would be laughing at the medical emergencies of people. I don’t mock ambulatory situations.
But a part of me is smirking just a little bit.
How about that? Glenn Beck and conservatives saved by the very things they hate the most.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:17 amAll your healthcare are belong to us.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:18 am#12 Marie says:
Forget that. They should have asked for a long-form birth certificate.
Cheers,
November 6th, 2009 at 11:18 amHmmm… Irony is completely lost on the GOP and its supporters it seems.
Personally, while I’m glad the patient is okay, I found the irony of it all to be truly…. delicious.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:18 amNone of the protesters will understand the irony or karma of this. After all, their brains are Taxed Enough Already.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:19 amAs a loyal tea bagger I’m sure the heart attack victim’s first question to his government health care doctor was “How much do I owe for my emergency care treatment?”
November 6th, 2009 at 11:21 amPlease, pretty please…I hope some of the emergency personnel were African American.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:22 ampatriotliberalchristian, and muslim.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:23 amand gay.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:24 amDid the EMT’s ask this scumbag for “proof of insurance” first?
November 6th, 2009 at 11:24 amLook at that photo. You can bet everyone one of those hypocritical old rightwing geezers have Medicare.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:29 amJoe Sixpack says:
Look at that photo. You can bet everyone one of those hypocritical old rightwing geezers have Medicare.
…with the signs, faux-outrage and free donuts all courtesy of AFP.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:31 amOr Mexican? Or Muslim? Or Democrats? Or pro-choice?
November 6th, 2009 at 11:32 amDang, I forgot gay.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:33 am“Please, pretty please…I hope some of the emergency personnel…”
…were Liberal
November 6th, 2009 at 11:34 amThe irony of this heart attack happening and then the man getting treated by Government Health Care Workers.
They should have asked him how he felt about Government Healthcare before they did anything to him – and if he gives the wrong answer – move on to someone that supports Government Healthcare.
Maybe Boner and Bachmann can do a better job of reviving the guy – but I doubt it. After all, Boner doesn’t even know how The Constitution starts.
Can’t wait for Boner to say the Constitution reads “Forescore and Seven Years Ago…
November 6th, 2009 at 11:34 amGet there, clear a path, get out the equipment, then say, ‘Oh, wait, you don’t want our help. So sorry for pushing socialized treatment on to you. Would you like to reconsider your position?’
Would that be too mean?
November 6th, 2009 at 11:34 amksinca@ 17–
November 6th, 2009 at 11:35 amYes.
This is vintage Jon Stewert material for his Daily Show.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:37 amIsn’t it quite apparent that it’s the Hand of Dog striking these hypocrites down?
November 6th, 2009 at 11:39 amOr is it Crom, smiting them in his wrath for their being so effing stupid?
We should compile a list of all the teabagging morons who are on Medicare and send them recission notices.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:42 amOK, if we’re going to wish, let’s go for it.
Let’s hope the lead medical person was an African/Mexican, Muslim, gay, card-carrying SEIU member, liberal Democrat, Obama campaign volunteer.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:44 amMarie @ 25,You have layed it out in very plain english for those of us who are not blinded by the demagogues like Bat@hit Crazy Bachmann,the Boner,Becky,Insannity and Flush,now you need to lay it out for myopic on the right,good luck with that!
November 6th, 2009 at 11:48 amFrist!
How’s that for a blast from the past?
November 6th, 2009 at 11:50 amImagine their surprise when the bus let them off at the Capitol. I bet they thought they were going to the casinos.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:51 amWhat I meant is that it’s too bad they didn’t have kitty-killer Frist on hand to show us what compassionate conservatism means in the real world.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:52 am“God-dang it, I’m havin’ an infarction!” – Buck Strickland
The most surprising aspect of all this to me, is that given how many of these people are morbidly obese, we didn’t see more cardiac episodes.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:53 amCNN reports a new poll alleging that over 50% oppose health care reform, but that over 50% favor a public option! Sounds like problems with how questions were formulated!
November 6th, 2009 at 11:55 amAnd we also have this instance of what could go wrong with health care if the Republicans aren’t put back in charge stat.
But from now on, we can’t trust Glenda any more. Those Commie-symp doctors have installed some secret mind-control devices in the vicinity of Beck’s appendix, and he’s become the RW’s Manchurian Candidate.
Cheers,
November 6th, 2009 at 12:04 pm..bet they all totally missed it… well.. except one guy – and he thought about it for a few seconds.. and – then the moment passed and he returned to chanting..
‘KILL THE BILL‘
November 6th, 2009 at 12:20 pmthese people are dense… I don’t think they would get the irony unless the paramedics had hitler mustaches and they rode up in an Obambulance
November 6th, 2009 at 12:27 pmHey, he didn’t want government health care, so they shouldn’t have given it to him.
Let his insurance company decide if he gets taken care of or not.
November 6th, 2009 at 12:33 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
Where government run socialized medicare will pay.
You’re a fool.
November 6th, 2009 at 12:53 pm“probably”?
Good solid reporting there.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:06 pmI bet these racist teabaggers accepted the help from people of color.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:06 pmSomeone’s got to find that guy with the anti-socialist bacon-packet heart and see how he feels now. Jon Stewart! Find that guy!!!
November 6th, 2009 at 1:06 pmPolitico’s Patrick Gavin:
“One attendee fell sick and it was members of the Capitol Physicians Office — the very definition of government-backed health care — who came to his aide.”
And they have video of the incident. Watch carefully. When asked if he’d like government run health care the tea bagger answers, “WTF do you think?!”.
Sorry Loco. BTW, how’s your bp today? Nice and steady?
November 6th, 2009 at 1:24 pmIs a heart attack a preexisting condition?
Attending a teabaggin party should be a preexisting condition.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:25 pmThanks for the link LIz!
Loco [stunned silence].
November 6th, 2009 at 1:32 pmAs much as I think that they should have just denied him healthcare, I’m kind of glad that they didn’t. It shows everybody else who’s really “compassionate” after all.
November 6th, 2009 at 2:46 pmBus ride to D.C. – zero dollars (paid for by lobbyists)
Materials for making signs to protest against Government health care reform. – zero dollars (paid for by lobbyists)
Doughnuts and refreshments to eat while at the protest – zero dollars (paid for by lobbyists)
Having a heart attack while protesting government healthcare with handouts paid for by someone else and requiring assistance from the very same government healthcare you are protesting. – PRICELESS (paid for by the American tax payer)
Personally I would have let him either find his own care (with a referral from his primary care physician) or die right there holding his sign. It’s poetic justice.
November 6th, 2009 at 3:00 pmI cannot understand anyone blocking healthcare for all. Too bad Alan Grayson doesn’t read how much money each repub has accepted from insurance and big pharmas. But, to some of our fellow citizens it still wouldn’t get through. These people cannot see who brought us to this edge of disaster ?
November 6th, 2009 at 3:20 pmWhat idiot thinks they have medical or any other privacy right now ? And as for the government making health decisions, better than the insurance company rep. America already has higher mortality rates infant and adults than many 3rd world countries.
November 6th, 2009 at 3:24 pmOrrin Hatch slipped and said, “if the Dems get healthcare people will be so happy, repubs will never get back in. ”
HELLO it is all about politics.
How many of these people are going to sign up for Medicare as soon as they’re eligible? My guess is somewhere around 100%.
November 6th, 2009 at 4:27 pm.
Q U E S T I O N:
Shouldn’t these baggers have chanted, “Let him die. Let him die!”
.
November 6th, 2009 at 4:53 pmI really don’t think all this tea-baggery is about taxes, healthcare, and big government.
It’s about protesting Obama’s presence in the White House. The “tea-party” is a facade.
November 6th, 2009 at 5:38 pmThis political cartoon says it all
November 6th, 2009 at 6:14 pmForTruth,
I’ve been thinking about that too.
And my conclusion is that these people are subjecting the rest of the Nation to their hyper-projection of their hatred for America being run by a democratically elected individual of the Democratic Party who, happens to be a half white man that passes as African American.
.
November 6th, 2009 at 7:04 pmam I the only person that doesn’t believe milbanks’ anecdote????
sorry TP, but this librul don’t believe this ‘cab driver’ story.
i mean as much hype heart attacks get from the media today, they don’t happen often enough for this to be believable. it was only a crowd of 4000 people, what are the chances??
November 7th, 2009 at 2:59 amand yes I saw the footage on olbermann of the limbaugh lookalike who had significant issues with climbing Capitol Hill.
November 7th, 2009 at 3:03 amHow does one hold up a sign that says “Keep your hands off my health care” when they get medicare?
::scratches head::
And they cant figure out why they lost?
November 7th, 2009 at 3:43 amWhat’s funny (or sad, depending on your views) about this article and most of the comments is that it seems most can’t tell the difference between a government employed health care professional and government provided health care. Nice try though.
November 7th, 2009 at 3:56 pmI am saddened by these comments. The folks opposing this health care takeover are good Americans. If you all don’t mind the government running our auto industry and banking and financial institutions there is no wonder you are rooting for this healthcare reform. With the approval of this healthcare bill, the government will now control approximately 48% of our economy! The “Teabaggers” you all so loathe and make fun of are freedom loving Americans who are dissenting as our laws allow. Let’s see how happy you all are in a few years when the chickens come home to roost. These are very sad times and I am afraid most of you are extremely short-sighted and you too will suffer along with the “Teabaggers.”
November 7th, 2009 at 3:59 pmDave R: I thought the same thing about these comments.
November 7th, 2009 at 4:08 pmThis is so typical of republican bad karma.
two other cases of the same from wilson and jindel.
Rep. Joe Wilson Blames Obama For Vaccine Shortage — After Voting Against Vaccine Funding and wife gets h1n1
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/11/joe-wilson-says-obama-has-put-the-lives-of-americans-at-risk-due-to-h1n1-vaccine-shortage.php
Gov. Bobby Jindal’s volcano remark has some fuming
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/25/jindal.volcanoes/index.html
The issue with republicans is that they dont believe in public programs that benifit both dems and republicans alike.
Those morons like many others of there ilk only vote against such things to help obama to fail under the guise of saving money.
They truely cut there nose to spite there face.
All americans lose from this stupidity.
November 7th, 2009 at 5:38 pmI’d really hate to disappoint these folks with the “No Government Health Care” signs, and all those against “Social” programs. So let’s just take away their Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security and everything else the government does for them. Yes, that would include Disability benefits too.
After all, why should our tax dollars be wasted on the foolish who are only sucking up our resources anyway?
November 7th, 2009 at 6:18 pm