McCain Adviser Who Attacked Dems' Health Reform Now Facing Insurance Nightmare

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Douglas Holtz-Eakin, a senior policy adviser to Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) presidential campaign, “remains unemployed — and his COBRA health coverage is running out,” the Washington Post reports. “Irony of ironies, it gets worse. Holtz-Eakin, who is about to start shopping for insurance on the individual market, is 51. And he has one of those pesky ‘preexisting conditions’ that insurance companies often cite in denying coverage”:

Holtz-Eakin said he’s been paying about $1,000 a month to extend the private health insurance he received on McCain’s campaign through the government’s COBRA program, but that will expire in a few months.

This is the first time in his life he has not had employer-provided health coverage. “I worry about where I go next in the way many Americans do,” he said

.

http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/mccain_...ghtmare/#143661

[Peikko 1,575]

Is this a case of kicking a man when he is already down? Seriously, while health care reform is important, this story isn't.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I hope the guy is able to get himself some coverage - but I think this illustrates how the "me first" attitude towards healthcare is fine and dandy for a lot of people until they find themselves in a similar position to this guy.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Is this a case of kicking a man when he is already down?

???

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Is this a case of kicking a man when he is already down?

???

she so silly

[scandal 951]

From the Washington Post article linked in Steve's original post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...9110102121.html

His pre-existing condition:

"A right renal autotransplant," he said, pointing to his abdomen as he described the 1990 transplant surgery he went through after one of his kidneys was damaged in an accident. "They got rid of the artery, moved my kidney and rebuilt me for the 21st century. If you look at my file, any insurance company would go, 'Hmm . . .' "

That really sucks. You have surgery in 1990, are otherwise in good health, and now in 2009 you can't get coverage?

He is consistent on his views however. Despite his personal circumstances he hasn't changed his views:

But although Holtz-Eakin dresses the part -- on this day he wore a gray pinstripe suit, white shirt with cuff links and a powder-blue tie -- he is in no hurry to find full-time work. He said he'll get a job when he's ready, even if it means buying an individual health insurance plan at an exorbitant premium.

"Let's not whine too much about me," he said. "I'm a wealthy, affluent American in the big picture."

Despite his personal trials, however, Holtz-Eakin said his conviction on the hot-button issue of health care is unchanged. He believes that reform is needed, but that President Obama and congressional Democrats are going about it the wrong way. The system is "broken," he said, but the bills now before Congress do not cut costs enough. On the campaign trail, Holtz-Eakin promoted McCain's plan to eliminate the tax exemption for employer-sponsored health insurance and give tax credits to individuals to buy their own coverage.

[aidan80 9]

Douglas Holtz-Eakin, a senior policy adviser to Sen. John McCain's (R-AZ) presidential campaign, "remains unemployed — and his COBRA health coverage is running out," the Washington Post reports. "Irony of ironies, it gets worse. Holtz-Eakin, who is about to start shopping for insurance on the individual market, is 51. And he has one of those pesky 'preexisting conditions' that insurance companies often cite in denying coverage":

Holtz-Eakin said he's been paying about $1,000 a month to extend the private health insurance he received on McCain's campaign through the government's COBRA program, but that will expire in a few months.

This is the first time in his life he has not had employer-provided health coverage. "I worry about where I go next in the way many Americans do," he said

.

http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/mccain_...ghtmare/#143661

To quote Nelson from the Simpsons.. "Ah HA!"

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

On the campaign trail, Holtz-Eakin promoted McCain's plan to eliminate the tax exemption for employer-sponsored health insurance and give tax credits to individuals to buy their own coverage.

That's kind of difficult if your pre-existing conditions either price you out of the market even with tax credits or if no company will underwrite your policy no matter what you're willing or able to spend. Do these people never learn?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Its a good thing this guy, McCain and every resident and citizen of the USA are independently wealthy!

[AlHayatZween 2]

i am sorry to hear about dude's situation, but this is what people are dealing with every day... especially since all the job layoffs.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Its a good thing this guy, McCain and every resident and citizen of the USA are independently wealthy!

That's just the thing. What they propose works for them and nobody else. And here you have all these poor fools out there believing that these guys are the protectors of their freedom while they really are the one's milking the last drop of milk out of their cows. Bloody fools.

[rebeccajo 14]

He is consistent on his views however. Despite his personal circumstances he hasn't changed his views:

But although Holtz-Eakin dresses the part -- on this day he wore a gray pinstripe suit, white shirt with cuff links and a powder-blue tie -- he is in no hurry to find full-time work. He said he'll get a job when he's ready, even if it means buying an individual health insurance plan at an exorbitant premium.

"Let's not whine too much about me," he said. "I'm a wealthy, affluent American in the big picture."

Despite his personal trials, however, Holtz-Eakin said his conviction on the hot-button issue of health care is unchanged. He believes that reform is needed, but that President Obama and congressional Democrats are going about it the wrong way. The system is "broken," he said, but the bills now before Congress do not cut costs enough. On the campaign trail, Holtz-Eakin promoted McCain's plan to eliminate the tax exemption for employer-sponsored health insurance and give tax credits to individuals to buy their own coverage.

What a dip$hit.

I guess he won't mind just writing a check for a new kidney if he needs it.