GOP Rep. Dreier: Massive Brain Tumor? Tough Luck for You

Heartless

WingnutsJuly 2012 • Views: 35,310

Republican Congressman David Dreier says that if you are suddenly diagnosed with a massive brain tumor, tough luck.

DREIER: And I believe my state of California has a structure in place to deal with pre-existing conditions. It’s a pooling process, which I think is one worthy of consideration, because while I don’t that think someone who is diagnosed with a massive tumor should the next day be able to have millions and millions and millions of dollars in health care provided, I do believe that there can be a structure to deal with the issue of pre-existing conditions.

Jump to bottom

67 comments

Kragar Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:32:38am

GOD'S WILL!

nines09 Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:33:34am

"I don’t that think someone who is diagnosed with a massive tumor should the next day be able to have millions and millions and millions of dollars in health care provided" Unless it's a family member or a holder of public office or somebody important; Like ME. Ladies and Gentlemen, Your Death Panels.

jaunte Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:34:28am

"Kid, I want you to go and sit down on that bench that says Group High Risk..."

Gus Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:34:37am

Compassionate conservatism.

dragonfire1981 Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:34:49am

"And I believe my state of California has a structure in place to deal with pre-existing conditions. It’s a pooling process, which I think is one worthy of consideration..."

And it's FAILING:

The California pool that Drier trumpets, for instance, has had a hard time attracting enrollees. A 2008 LA Times article described the California program — which existed prior to the ACA — as “unaffordable, unavailable or ineffective for many of those who most need health insurance.

iossarian Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:36:16am

re: #5 dragonfire1981

"And I believe my state of California has a structure in place to deal with pre-existing conditions. It’s a pooling process, which I think is one worthy of consideration..."

And it's FAILING:

Again, for the GOP that's a feature, not a bug.

Gus Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:36:27am

David Dreier

Born: July 5, 1952 (age 60)
Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
Political party: Republican
Residence: San Dimas, California, U.S.
Alma mater: Claremont Graduate University
Claremont McKenna College
Occupation: Real estate executive
Religion: Christian Science

He probably doesn't believe in modern medicine either.

dragonfire1981 Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:36:33am

I would say if that's how Drier wants to play fine, but let's pass a law that say within 48 hours of death a member of congress or of the state of representatives (either state of federal) must meet with the family of the deceased and explain why that person was unworthy of health care.

Henchman Ghazi-808 Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:36:33am

So... he believes in Death Panels?

dragonfire1981 Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:37:06am

I was always taught that wishing for someone to die was kind of bad thing...

dragonfire1981 Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:37:27am

re: #9 Kronocide

So... he believes in Death Panels?

Only as long as they are run by private Insurance companies.

Targetpractice Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:37:32am

If they would rather die, they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population!

JAFO Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:38:01am

Dreier has always been a dick.

dragonfire1981 Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:38:16am

Is it a stretch to say that a lot of politicians are out of touch when it comes to health care because they all get (SHOCKER!) government provided care?

Kragar Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:38:55am

Step 1) Don't regulate pollution from industry, relying on the free market to deal with violators

Step 2) Get tumor, sue company to pay for your medical bills

Step 3) Die before you get to court because corporate lawyers keep you busy for years

Its the GOP answer to healthcare.

HappyWarrior Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:39:13am

From "compassionate conservatism" to "fuck you conservatism." The latter is pretty much what modern conservatism is all about.

Targetpractice Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:39:17am

re: #9 Kronocide

So... he believes in Death Panels?

No, he just believes that the sick should be allowed to die in a gutter because they can't get health insurance and the state can't provide them care due to "belt-tightening."

wrenchwench Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:39:49am

re: #7 Gus

David Dreier

He probably doesn't believe in modern medicine either.

DREIER: And I believe my ~~state~~ religion of ~~California~~ Christian Science has a structure in place to deal with pre-existing conditions. It’s a ~~pooling~~ praying process

Kragar Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:40:16am

re: #7 Gus

David Dreier

He probably doesn't believe in modern medicine either.

I recommend trepanning.

Killgore Trout Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:42:13am

What Health Insurance Pools Can and Can't Do
It is actually part of the healthcare reform package but on a national level.

dragonfire1981 Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:42:45am

re: #18 wrenchwench

DREIER: And I believe my ~~state~~ religion of ~~California~~ Christian Science has a structure in place to deal with pre-existing conditions. It’s a ~~pooling~~ praying process

Awhile back I read an essay on health care by a Pastor who said that his father (also a Pastor) used to consider doctors/hospitals only as a "last resort" when it came to health care. Only if continuous prayer and intercession failed was a doctor consulted.

Charles Johnson Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:44:41am

Usually I'm pretty laissez faire about the political ads we get from Adsense, but I just saw an ad from teapartyinfo.org saying "Should Obama Be Impeached?"

Blocked.

Bulworth Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:45:42am

I don’t that think someone who is diagnosed with a massive tumor should the next day be able to have millions and millions and millions of dollars in health care provided

OK, well how about just "millions and millions" then? I know the three "millions" is a lot. //

Gus Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:45:45am

David Drier: another right wing anti-gay closet case.

HappyWarrior Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:45:56am

re: #21 dragonfire1981

Awhile back I read an essay on health care by a Pastor who said that his father (also a Pastor) used to consider doctors/hospitals only as a "last resort" when it came to health care. Only if continuous prayer and intercession failed was a doctor consulted.

That's really scary honestly. I've heard more liberal and modern religious people make the argument that the doctors, nurses, hospitals, and medicine are basically God's way of interceding. I'm not a particularly religious person but I prefer that to "just pray and all will be good."

iossarian Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:47:15am

re: #24 Gus

David Drier: another right wing anti-gay closet case.

Barney Frank is the bomb:

When openly-gay Congressman Barney Frank was asked if Dreier was not elected House majority leader because he was too 'moderate', Frank replied: "Yes, in the sense that I marched in the moderate pride parade last summer and went to a moderate bar."[43]

Shiplord Kirel Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:47:19am

Iirc, Congress-crooks have complete, cost-no-object medical coverage from the day they assume office and it does cover any and all pre-existing conditions.

Shiplord Kirel Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:48:22am

Treatment for me, but not for thee.

Gus Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:49:31am

re: #26 iossarian

Barney Frank is the bomb:

Congressman David Dreier: Gay & Ashamed
by Larry Flynt

After a quarter century gliding through the raindrops, it’s time for the influential Republican lawmaker to come clean about his homosexuality and the lethal hypocrisy he’s employed in pursuit of power. MICHAEL COLLINS and MARK CROMER hold up the mirror to Dreier’s face...

Kragar Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:49:55am

"I don’t that think some bank which is diagnosed with a massive shortfall should the next day be able to have millions and millions and millions of dollars in bailouts provided."

GunstarGreen Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:50:43am

re: #27 Shiplord Kirel

Iirc, Congress-crooks have complete, cost-no-object medical coverage from the day they assume office and it does cover any and all pre-existing conditions.

Pretty much.

Which is why all those voting against the PPACA should have their government health plans immediately, completely, and permanently revoked. They can come and enjoy the glories of the Free Market™ with the rest of us.

HappyWarrior Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:51:59am

re: #26 iossarian

Barney Frank is the bomb:

Heh that's pretty funny. Speaking of Barney, I saw in the WaPo style section recently that he got hitched. Good for him.

Charles Johnson Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:52:16am

"May" from the pro-fascist hate blog Gates of Vienna is still suffering a severe case of butthurt. Apparently he spoke to the European Parliament a few days ago and brought up ... yours truly.

Gates of Vienna: OIC-Sponsored Fratricide

Most of those who attended that year’s conference will remember the aftermath, when a series of slurs orchestrated by the then-popular blogger Charles Johnson caused so many of us to duck for cover. We were subjected to the same sort of mud-slinging that is even now aimed at us — we were “neo-Nazis”, “fascists”, “haters”, “racists”, “xenophobes”, and on and on and on. You all know the litany.

Mr. Johnson was fed his material — a mixture of disinformation and distortions — by several left-wing groups here in Europe, including the notorious “anti-fascist” outfit Expo in Sweden. Regardless of whether he believed everything he published, he appeared uninterested in fact-checking any of it, provided that it served to damage those Europeans who love their countries and want to preserve their cultures from destruction.

Why, sure. That's why I renounced Gates of Vienna and their disgusting gang of bigoted fellow travelers -- because I hate freedom and Europeans who love their countries!

As for fact-checking -- every single claim I ever made about them, and about Geller and Spencer, was carefully fact-checked. They associate with violent bigots and outright neo-Nazis, and I absolutely stand by every word I wrote about them.

Kragar Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:53:12am

Meet the Evangelical's favorite ex-terrorist

Recently, Saleem has become the Religious Right's favorite ex-Muslim as he spreads some of today's craziest and wild conspiracies which the Right seemingly accepts uncritically despite the fact that his biography is rather questionable.

For the last week, Saleem has been the featured quest on Liberty Counsel's "Faith and Freedom" radio program where he has been regaling Mat Staver with tales of being trained to be a terrorist from the age of seven, when he first led a mission to smuggle weapons into Israel from Syria.

HappyWarrior Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:53:45am

My favorite story was the TP supported congressman elect who asked to get his health care benefits early. Oh, government health care is evil but let me have the benefits now! Such a load of crap.

Shiplord Kirel Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:53:46am

Employee health insurance is a pretty big expense for my business. I could buy another Rolls-Royce with what I would save by not having it. I would rather go back to changing oil for a living and living in a trailer house than do that however.
Changing oil isn't a bad job at all, btw, it's just another one the desperately smug status seeker contingent seems to hate, along with cooking hamburgers. Being back in the trailer park would bother me, though.

Bulworth Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:54:43am

re: #30 Kragar

"I don’t that think some bank which is diagnosed with a massive shortfall should the next day be able to have millions and millions and millions of dollars in bailouts provided."

Why do you hate America? //

Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:54:45am

Heh, Indeedy: RNC To Michael Steele: We Do African American Outreach By Supporting Mitt Romney

A Mom Anon Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:54:52am

I'd like to ask this greedy,mindless twit why it is that ANY medical care should cost anyone millions of dollars. We're the only "first world"country that allows it's citizens to lose everything they've worked for because of getting hurt or sick. His ass is covered by a nice gold plated healthcare plan that is paid for by taxpayer dollars,what fucking nerve he has. I hope he loses this election.

Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:55:51am

re: #39 A Mom Anon

one of the problems lies in equipment, most hospitals do not own their equipment, they lease it from the equipment makers for far more than it would cost to own.

Kragar Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:56:45am

re: #37 Bulworth

Why do you hate America? //

GWAR - America Must Be Destroyed

Youtube Video

Achilles Tang Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:56:55am

"It's a pooling process..."

No kidding Sherlock, that is the definition of insurance and it can work if everyone pools; in other words, is mandated to be in the pool.

Those that don't still get treated and the total cost to society is the same either way (inefficiencies not considered), except that the freeloaders get more benefit than others.

wrenchwench Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:57:06am

re: #33 Charles Johnson

Ned May, "he".

He's really gonna be hurt now.../

HappyWarrior Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:58:14am

re: #38 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance

Heh, Indeedy: RNC To Michael Steele: We Do African American Outreach By Supporting Mitt Romney

That's their idea of AA outreach? I'm surprised they haven't used the fact that Mitt once sang "Who Let the Dogs Out" as "proof" that Mitt understand issues important to the African American community. I bet Steele does not missing being RNC chair at all. And is it any wonder that both Colin Powell and Condi Rice, both of whom are more capable and intelligent than Mitt Romney for the presidency want nothing to do with runs for the presidency.

Charles Johnson Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:58:58am

re: #43 wrenchwench

Ned May, "he".

He's really gonna be hurt now.../

Yeah, I was just correcting that.

Targetpractice Wed, Jul 11, 2012 11:59:13am

I really do stop and wonder sometimes if nimrods like the honorable Mr. Dreier ever stop and consider how these statements sound to those who have either been personally fucked or known family/friends who were fucked by the insurance companies and left without insurance because some bean-counter got a bonus if he could make "liabilities" go away by arguing that a runny nose counted as a "pre-existing condition" at the time the policy was purchased. Or the millions who have had to choose between COBRA payments and keeping food on the table, just to make sure they could keep insured with such pre-existing conditions.

But then I remember that he gets free Cadillac healthcare for life and conclude that he probably thinks recission is something that only happens to "other people."

Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance Wed, Jul 11, 2012 12:02:10pm

ROFLMAO:

Fox & Friends contributed several minutes of their Wednesday program to mocking the United States Olympic team uniform which includes a "French beret." While suggesting that the wearing of berets is unpatriotic, the co-hosts seemed to forget that most of the United States military wear berets until receiving emails from their viewers pointing out this fact.

Not only did they fail to mention that the United States military wear berets as part of their uniforms, but that the 2002 Olympic uniforms for the Salt Lake City Olympics also featured powder blue berets.

Schadenfreude 'r' Us Wed, Jul 11, 2012 12:04:07pm

re: #22 Charles Johnson

Usually I'm pretty laissez faire about the political ads we get from Adsense, but I just saw an ad from teapartyinfo.org saying "Should Obama Be Impeached?"

Blocked.

Actually, I've seen that ad quite a few times (is it just ME?!?!) I figured it was your well-known laissez-faire attitude, but I don't mind that I won't see it again.

Kragar Wed, Jul 11, 2012 12:05:26pm

Texas Charter Schools Allegedly Funneling Religion Into Lessons

Claiming that God “has given [her] the jurisdiction to operate with dominion” and that running schools was “a divine assignment,” Cheryl Washington has, according to the San Antonio Current, channeled millions in both federal and state funds into building the Shekinah Learning Institute, which she founded in 1996. The SLI now comprises 13 taxpayer-funded schools across the state, receiving over $17 million in taxpayer funds and helping educate approximately 2,500 “at-risk” students, according to agency filings reported by the Current.

However, as detailed in recent media reports, Washington’s 16 years as an educator have seen myriad accusations of pushing religion in the public classroom. Americans United for Separation of Church and State recently detailed the investigation its undertaken into Washington’s methods and beliefs.

According to letters released by AU, Washington’s Truth Campus, located in suburban Dallas, promoted a “a weekly optional Chapel service” for students. The school’s website also shared a video, now removed, featuring parents describing how the Truth Campus had taught their children “all the wonderful things that God is doing for them in their lives.” The school additionally informed students that, for 45 minutes on Mondays starting last February, students would need only to “bring a Bible and a notepad.”

Gregory Lipper, senior counsel for the AU, noted that even if no Bible-based lessons were taught in these schools, the SLI’s structure was unconstitutional. “Even if the Academy and its churches were generally separate,” wrote Lipper, “the [First Amendment] would prohibit its campuses from holding classes or events in churches.”

HappyWarrior Wed, Jul 11, 2012 12:05:28pm

re: #47 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance

ROFLMAO:

That's Fox and Friends for you. These are the same clowns that waterboarding is a laughing matter. Of course if any of the morons on that show ever had to do anything close to military service, they'd be crying because they're wusses.

Henchman Ghazi-808 Wed, Jul 11, 2012 12:06:09pm

Not only did they fail to mention that the United States military wear berets as part of their uniforms, but that the 2002 Olympic uniforms for the Salt Lake City Olympics also featured powder blue berets.

NATO HAZ OLYMPICS TEAM? AAAHHH!!!

Bulworth Wed, Jul 11, 2012 12:06:45pm

Not only did they fail to mention that the United States military wear berets as part of their uniforms, but that the 2002 Olympic uniforms for the Salt Lake City Olympics also featured powder blue berets.

Yeah but that was before angry blah Kenyan illegally took over presidency. //

Varek Raith Wed, Jul 11, 2012 12:07:14pm

re: #47 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance

ROFLMAO:

F&F; Der, Derp and Derpy.

dragonfire1981 Wed, Jul 11, 2012 12:08:32pm

re: #47 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance

ROFLMAO:

By their logic could Team Canada be called "red shirts"?

Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance Wed, Jul 11, 2012 12:09:46pm

re: #52 Bulworth

And Rmoney Saved that one also, too.

lawhawk Wed, Jul 11, 2012 12:15:25pm

re: #47 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance

Hey Fox & Friends, did you forget about the Green Berets (watch the movie) or the kerfuffle over modifying US Army uniforms so that their cover became a beret. That's been the case since 2001.

Eventual Carrion Wed, Jul 11, 2012 12:20:15pm

re: #47 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance

ROFLMAO:

[snip]

Not only did they fail to mention that the United States military wear berets as part of their uniforms, but that the 2002 Olympic uniforms for the Salt Lake City Olympics also featured powder blue berets.

What commie bastard was in charge of the Olympics in 2002 and had our brave athletes wearing pussy, French hats?

Oh, sorry Mitt? mon erreur

Lidane Wed, Jul 11, 2012 12:21:26pm

re: #44 HappyWarrior

That's their idea of AA outreach?

Yep. Just like their idea of Latino outreach is campaigning on making Latinos "self-deport" and on racist laws like SB 1070. It's also like their women's outreach of demonizing birth control and forcing ultrasound wands into a woman's vagina without her consent.

gamark Wed, Jul 11, 2012 1:15:07pm

I'm mostly a lurker, but allow me to share my brain tumor anecdote.

About 3 years ago, my 50yo wife was diagnosed with a benign meningioma. Well, that turned out not to be the case unfortunately. Pathology from the first surgery showed it to be a WHO grade 3 hemangiopericytoma. About a year ago (one more surgery and two rounds of radiation later), her mri showed three new lesions. We had already been told by the surgeon that surgery could not cure it. We had already been told by her radiation oncologist that she had already received a lifetime limit of radiation to that area of her brain. We were sent to a chemo guy who specializes in brain tumors. This guy has been treating brain tumor patients day in and day out for over 20 years. He had never seen a patient with an intracranial hemangiapericytoma. He also said there was no FDA approved chemo treatment for such a thing and therefore no chemo treatment covered by our insurance. We were told that my wife would be doing well to survive another six months. So, end of story right? Not exactly. The oncologist searched the literature and found a paper out of MD Anderson in which they documented the treatment of 14 patients, some of whom had similar tumors as my wife. The paper showed some promising results using a combination of temodar and avastin. He took this information to my private insurance company and asked if they would be willing to cover the experimental treatment. This mean old nasty penny pinching private insurance company agreed to fund the treatment even though they had no contractual obligation to do so. During the 10 months of treatment (at a cost approaching $1million), so far the tumors have shown no sign of growth. My wife is far from cured (and in truth, there is no cure). But I am grateful for the extra time we have had together due to our insurance company's decision. We have discussed this in respect to obamacare and we both feel she would be not have been afforded this chemo treatment had we needed to petition the government for experimental treatment for an extremely rare disease.

I am aware that there are many stories of insurance companies denying coverage (both wrongly and rightly going strictly by contract), but I have no doubt in my mind, at all, that a government bureaucracy would be even more difficult to penetrate than that in a private business.

Our bodies are fragile things in many ways. My wife's illness is "just bad luck" as more than one oncologist put it. Science has no idea whatsoever why these things just pop up in people. We are all in a game of dice as far as our health is concerned. If anyone thinks obamacare means everyone who is sick is going to get the treatment they need, they are sadly mistaken. The only difference is that decisions on coverage will be made by a government bureaucracy rather than a private one.

jujukoja Wed, Jul 11, 2012 1:32:54pm

What commie bastard was in charge of the Olympics in 2002 and had our brave athletes wearing pussy, French hats?

Romantic Heretic Wed, Jul 11, 2012 1:34:48pm

As my favourite author puts it, "The only differences in the efficiency of private and public bureaucracies is in ideology."

We have public healthcare here in Canada, and although not without problems, it delivers quality healthcare to every Canadian at less cost and better outcomes than in the States.

jujukoja Wed, Jul 11, 2012 1:34:59pm

but all for reall brain tumors are series matter , and good luck to him

Patricia Kayden Wed, Jul 11, 2012 2:53:07pm

Republican Congressman David Dreier: "Let the unwashed uninsured eat cake". A modern Marie Antoinette.

palomino Wed, Jul 11, 2012 4:23:14pm

re: #59 gamark

First off, Obamacare leaves the private insurance company intact. So the rest of your argument proceeds from a faulty premise.

Second, if any govt bureaucracy in healthcare would inherently be worse than a purely privatized system, how do you explain Canada, Australia, Japan, S. Korea, Israel, and most of Europe? They all have programs with more govt involvement than ours, and they ALL have longer life expectancies than we do. Your argument proceeds from your gut assumption that "if the govt is involved, they'll screw things up." But gut fellings are not a valid basis for effective domestic policy. The rest of the developed world has figured this out.

Interesting Times Wed, Jul 11, 2012 4:27:00pm

re: #59 gamark

The only difference is that decisions on coverage will be made by a government bureaucracy rather than a private one.

Why are you making this patently false claim?

labman57 Wed, Jul 11, 2012 5:32:53pm

So what would it take to change his point of view on affordable access to preventative and critical health care for all Americans?

Perhaps when a loved one, having recently become unemployed and as a result loses their employer-provided health coverage, discovers that he/she or a family member suffers from a life-threatening illness.

Strange how politicians can change their perspective on some issues when the impact of their callous, empathy-devoid policy positions becomes personal.

Stormageddon, Dark Lord of All Wed, Jul 11, 2012 6:03:01pm

I'm just going to say this on the whole matter.

I can run a Half Marathon, do a sprint Triathlon, Bike 100 miles, but I was just form rejected.. literally got an email less than a second after applying for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia, all because I have a preexisting condition.

I try to appeal, and am literally cold shouldered, if I'm auto rejected because of a preexisting condition there is nothing they can do. Instead they direct me to some agency that insures preexisting conditions, which i can't apply to because I currently have insurance.

I have to wait 6 months of being uninsured? So I can either accept paying $500 a month for my scripts for 6 months because some insurance company views me as a health risk?

On my meds, I'll have no issues with health problems related to the preexisting conditions, and I know that the deals the insurance companies cut with pharmacies means they pay next to nothing to cover my meds. So instead I might be stuck trying to figure out which is more important, food, or my meds. and if I skip my meds, I could end up in the hospital and a 10 - 20K bill. Which i won't be able to pay, and if I end up declaring bankruptcy, not only am I financially screwed, but everyone else will be paying a little more to make up for the losses incurred to the hospital.

Tell me how this makes sense?

Spy Mode Auto

This article has been archived.
Comments are closed.

Jump to top

GOP Rep. Dreier: Massive Brain Tumor? Tough Luck for You

► LGF Headlines

► Top 10 Comments

► Bottom Comments

► Recent Comments

► Tools/Info

► Tag Cloud