Senator Says Employers Should Be Able To Deny Coverage To Cancer Patients

[Galraedia]

Source: ThinkProgress

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Businesses should be allowed to deny health insurance to cancer patients, according to a Republican senator, because “our nation was based on the foundation of freedom and limited government.”


Discussing health care outside the Supreme Court today, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) told ThinkProgress that there “shouldn’t” be a law requiring businesses to cover employees who have cancer because that would “create an obligation” for others. “When you create a right for somebody,” Johnson said, “you create an obligation for somebody else, and then you’re taking away that person’s right.”

KEYES: I know Richard Murdock had said even though businesses should give people, for instance, with cancer, health coverage, they shouldn’t be legally required by the federal government.

JOHNSON: They shouldn’t. Listen, our rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And when we start expanding beyond that realm, when you create a right for somebody, you create an obligation for somebody else, and then you’re taking away that person’s right. And that maybe doesn’t seem all that great, but it’s just true. Our nation was based on the foundation of freedom and limited government.

Read more: http://thinkprogress.org/health/2012/06/28/508299/ron-johnson-cancer-patients/

[Diclotican]

1. Galraedia

Galraedia

I hope he got cancer - and also is denied coverage from his insurance company, and a long, painfull death when the cancer finaly get to him...

Diclotican

[Dont call me Shirley]

2. Hey A-hole, the fascists you support "created the obligation" for others to get cancer

ie: Monsanto, Dow chemical, DuPont, Koch Industries etc etc etc ad nauseum!

[marmar]

3. Malignant Republicans.

nt

[Ken Burch]

9. Conservanomas.

n/t.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

20. Meta sized.

[Mz Pip]

4. THe GOP looks really dumb

when they propose that getting sick and dying is some kind of freedom issue.

[FreakinDJ]

51. DING DING DING - We have a Winner Folks

[TeamPooka]

5. Our nation was based on the foundation of slavery and woman not owning property so...

shut up about how things were two hundred fucking years ago and deal with the now you asshat Senator.
He's a Johnson all right....

[clang1]

6. Tyranny n/t

[coalition_unwilling]

7. Wisconsin: the state that gave us Joe McCarthy (but also, weirdly enough,

Russ Feingold).

[libinnyandia]

15. And Robert M. LaFollette. And a lot of other good ones. To think there are too many voters in

Wisconsin who voted for Johnson and Walker. What a horrible year that was in Wisconsin.

[Faygo Kid]

19. Tough what's going on there now with Walker and this a-hole

Among others. Really shocking stuff. Koch money running rampant there.

[xtraxritical]

21. I remember Hubert Humphry and was not George McGovern from Wis?

I don't know what they've been drinking up there, but it's not "made in Milwaukee". Stick with Democrat's guys, I think you've learned your lesson the hard way!

[bulloney]

24. Humphrey was from Minnesota and McGovern was from South Dakota.

[coalition_unwilling]

26. Um, Humphrey was from Minnesota and McGovern is

from South Dakota.

[Bill USA]

7. well, only if they are union member, commie bastards.

[Ken Burch]

10. He probably thinks the recall result means that nobody can ever defeat him.

[sulphurdunn]

11. That kind of comment

guarantees the money stream will continue flowing to this dolt's campaign coffers. Apparently, life to this clown is the liberty to die from cancer because the private sector isn't responsible for you and the public sector would have to pass laws impinging on the private sector to save you. Then there is, of course, the pursuit of happiness i.e the pursuit of avarice even if it kills others. Also, one must not forget freedom and limited government. What good are freedom and limited government if combined they advocate for the poor, the sick and the "uninsured" to fend for themselves even if it kills them?

[xtraxritical]

22. Walker is the Koch's spear head to break the unions. They'll flood him with campaign cash.

[sulphurdunn]

27. The mask is coming off.

We struggle against a plutocracy that has taken over the country. It has about as much concern for others as medieval nobles had for serfs, maybe less.

[truth2power]

12. This, plus Hillary and that turd Panetta in another thread laughing at the Pakistanis....

makes me wonder if there isn't such a being as Satan.

They have lost their souls...

[DiverDave]

13. How can someone hear that and vote for him?

That if you have a life threatening disease just throw them out in the street, let em die.
But not before spending every last dime they have, of course.

And people VOTE FOR HIM??

Of course if it was HIS family, he would make sure that they got the best care possible.

[Auggie]

14. Well then, why should we provide health insurance for members of Congress?

Answer that, asshole.

[drm604]

32. That's a good point.

We are his employees, so if he gets cancer, we shouldn't have to pay for his treatment. If he's consistent he'll put it to a popular vote.

[IndyJones]

47. That's exactly what I'm asking. Why do we have to pay for their sweet insurance?

[Tikki]

16. These are the same people who say it's peachy keen to execute some innocents just as...

long as some guilty are executed, also. I wonder what victory they win watching someone they love struggle and die from cancer!


Tikki

[Ed Suspicious]

17. Ron Paul has the crazies all ginned up and voting for anyone who don't like gubment. It's

infectious in WI. It's spreading.

[tpsbmam]

18. Well, Sen. Asshole, I'm YOUR employer....

and I say we start with you and your family.

[mlawr865]

23. Slime Like Johnson are Why We Need Affordable Care Act

People like Johnson are the exact reason why we need something like the Affordable Care Act in the first place. There are too many idiot Repugs that want to discriminate against someone for getting a disease that they have no control over getting.

I say we Re-Elect Our President, Elect More Democrats to Congress and throw the Tea Party and the rest of the do nothing Repugs the heck out and Take Back our government.

[barbtries]

44. welcome to DU mlawr865

[politicasista]

25. Haveaseat.gov n/t

[calimary]

28. This guy should burn in hell.

[Deep13]

29. Yeah, too bad the completely constitutional insurance reform bars discrimination. nt

[Rain Mcloud]

30. Sounds like,after the Supremes ruling today

that Senator Johnson needs a Manpon.
Hey You Republican *ssholes,crack a Gottdamn book some time so as not to embarrass the rest of us when say stupid shit about things you apparently know nothing about!
Might we suggest watching the Schoolhouse Rock series on Youtube for starters.

[valerief]

31. Why are we paying for his health insurance? And his paycheck? nt

[drm604]

33. Sen. Ron Johnson is a cancer on this country. n/t

[maddezmom]

34. heartless asshole

jeebus, do they even understand how they sound?

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

35. This is why we need Medicare for all.

That way it is standardized and fair for all.

[Major Nikon]

36. This is a prime example of why libertarians are idiots

When you believe in an ideology that dictates individual liberty trumps all other considerations, you are an idiot.

[Megahurtz]

37. Typical Republican "compassion"

I am so not surprised.

[magic59]

38. And another example that republicans are sociopaths.

Now, God forbid he gets cancer and his tax payer paid health insurance decides to drop his coverage, but wait, government health care can't drop you. Them damn socialists.

[Harry Monroe]

39. I am a believer in Karma

And may Karma jump up and bite this asshole on the ass. May he get cancer. We'll see what tune he's singing then.

[ohgeewhiz]

40. Much as I hate Cancer, much as I hate to see people suffer

a few people with Cancer, like a certain 4 of the 9 SCOTUS folks, and this guy. let them live without insurance and try to get good care when they find themselves, their wives, their children, all have Cancer.


Unfortunately, real families in America DO have that happen to them, and their families. Unfortunately, none of those families hold office anywhere. Very unfortunately for all of us.

[SunSeeker]

45. He probably will. 50% of men get some form of cancer at some point in their life.

But he will never know the anguish of trying to deal with cancer while worrying that it is bankrupting your family.

[Kteachums]

41. I hope this guy is diagnosed with cancer!

This time last Summer I was feeling healthy as could be. In February I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I found a lump. It seemed like it appeared overnight. After that it was mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy, lymphectomy, Onca DX Test which predicted no chemotherapy needed, and radiation. I am currently taking arimidex for five years. I have insurance. I am a teacher. But, the amount that I have to pay after insurance pays is still very high. It saddens me that someone could be so cruel to say the words this Senator has said. Does he think cancer couldn't strike him?

[LovingA2andMI]

42. How many ways can you say that Senator Johnson statement is a EPIC FAILURE....

Let's see:



Senator Johnson, you suck....

Senator Johnson, you flew over the coo-coo nest....

Senator Johnson, how can one be SO dumb....

Senator Johnson, how about WE (Americans) stop paying for your (As a Senator) Healthcare and tell you to get treatment in Mexico

Senator Johnson, can we lead you to the Detroit River for this statement and tell you to SWIM to Canada. They will reject you, then you have to swim back. We would deny allowing you on land and you would have to start this chain over and over again....

Senator Johnson, really tell us you are not that stupid....

Senator Johnson, so we assume you never met one person with Cancer, like ever? If you did, what did they think when you told them your thoughts on this?

Senator Johnson, can WE Recall you for this....all of us, any of us that had a relative suffer with Cancer anytime in our lifetime? By the way, that's a majority of the U.S. population, you IDIOT!!!

Feel free to add any thoughts.....

[BadGimp]

43. He did not say it was unconstitutional though... Just wrong...

What an assclown!

[Judi Lynn]

46. Article says his brother from another mother (not necessarily human) Richard Mourdock agrees.

From the posted article:

Last week, Indiana Republican Senate nominee Richard Mourdock similarly argued that employers should be allowed to deny coverage to cancer patients “if they want to keep their health care costs down.”

[center]

Oh, my god, he's loose again

[/center]

[santamargarita]

48. The scumbags feel the same way about solders coming home from illegal wars...

they created! Is Anyone surprised?

[neohippie]

49. he says our rights are "life" liberty and the pursuit of happiness....

wouldn't getting cancer interfere with your right to life?

[kentauros]

58. Yes!

However, after reading what these idiots spew time and again, I get the impression that the only part of the phrase "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" that they truly see is the word "liberty". That's the only part that matters to them. Otherwise, this wouldn't be an issue, nor would getting high ("pursuit of happiness&quot

[Festivito]

50. Nor, federal government laws against stealing, fighting and killing.

I have a my right to my life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Your right is not my obligation.

It's not as though this country was created so that out of many, we become one.
It's for personal freedom and the freedom to have no obligation to others based on the foundation of limited government.

I'm thinking that their mother failed to slap them for being mouthy.

[mother earth]

52. Taxpayers should be allowed to deny the health care benefit for asses like him. nt

[RKP5637]

53. Sociopath! n/t

[wordpix]

54. so I guess businesses now have the right to dump toxins in the rivers & streams again?

Because keeping pollution out of our waters creates an obligation for business and we should not put that obligation on business because that is "big government" telling business what to do. IOW, it is not our right to have clean water to drink, fish or swim in, according to Johnson, the Slippery Slope Senator.

[SCVDem]

55. Try to die quickly!

No coverage for cancer, no medical cannabis and no physician assisted end of life.

No compassion anywhere in this new conservative country.

SUFFER!

[sinkingfeeling]

56. Then why even have an insurance industy? Let's eliminate all car, home, death,

and health insurance. It'll be every man for themselves. The hell with those crying wims in Colorado Springs whining about losing everything when the fire took their home. Somebody rams your BMW? Too bad, pay for the replacement yourself. Your only means of support dies? Get a job. We've got to have that freedom!

[and-justice-for-all]

57. Fucking vile..nt

[Norbert]

59. Where is Reality TV Sarah?

I think not so Big Johnson is proposing Death Panels.

[Odin2005]

60. FREE DUMB! FREE DUMB! FREE DUMB!

They are like a one trick pony.

[tawadi]

61. Sold his soul

Hope it was enough money for him.

[arely staircase]

62. Pacific Stereo Audio Consultant, RON JOHNSON

RON
So you working hard or hardly
working?

Stacy thinks it over, decides it's a joke and
laughs (a little too late). Ron looks at her
soulfully.

RON (CONT'D)
You look like you could still be in
high school.

STACY
I know, everyone says that.

He stares at her and she stares back uncomfortably.

STACY (CONT'D)
What can I get for you tonight.

RON
How about your phone number?

http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/fast_times_at_ridgemont_high.html

[Scairp]

63. What the fuck is he talking about?

Tortured reasoning de rigueur from the right. They just don't give a shit who dies to further their power hungry agenda of bullshit.

[panzerfaust]

64. Especially if it was caused by the working conditions in the company