Biden Says Obama Offered to Help Pay for Son's Cancer Treatment

[RockaFowler]

http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2016/01/joe-biden-obama-beau-financial-help

In an emotional interview with CNN's Gloria Borger, Vice President Joe Biden on Monday revealed that President Barack Obama once offered to help him financially amid mounting concerns over his late son Beau's health.

The offer, Biden says, was made during one of their weekly lunch meetings, in which he told the president he and his wife were contemplating selling their house to help Beau's family in case he was forced to resign as Delaware's attorney general.


"He got up and he said, 'Don't sell that house. Promise me you won't sell the house,'" Biden told Borger, who had asked Biden to reveal a moment he would remember ahead of Obama's final State of the Union on Tuesday. "He said, 'I'll give you the money. Whatever you need, I'll give you the money. Don't, Joe—promise me. Promise me.' I said, 'I don't think we're going to have to anyway.' He said, 'Promise me.'"

I will miss both of them when they leave office. 2 great friends that actually care for one another and this country.

[Wilms]

1. .

[KittyWampus]

6. Back when Obama still had all black hair.

[Wilms]

8. Yep. That's the 2008 campaign trail.

One tough job, being the President.

[Gman]

2. Even the VP of the US

Is not beyond financial problems from healthcare costs.

[woodsprite]

3. I wonder if contemplating the move was more of an

issue of keeping 2 (or 3 since he was still VP) houses and not being there for Beau's wife and children. I think Joe would do anything for family, and I know that we've had instances in our own family where parents have moved closer to kids (or vice versa) when faced with difficult medical issues, etc.

[Tab]

9. I have to wonder, though...

and I'm sure it was a sincere moment - not taking away from that, or the generous offer - but don't all senators and upper government officials have good lifetime healthcare? Would that not extend to their families? I know why *I* need help with medical bills, but not sure why he doesn't have coverage.

[mythology]

13. I doubt there are any insurance plans that cover

Fully adult children. The ACA requires covering up to 26 if the kid is in school.

The issue was more about what would happen when/if Beau had to leave his job. It's a flaw in our insurance approach being mostly built around one's employer.

[valerief]

19. As long as the VP isn't whoring thief Cheney. What am I saying? Everyone knows he was

the Shadow President.

[Warpy]

26. Biden was a workhorse in Congress who didn't use his position to get rich quick.

It's one reason I've always respected the man greatly.

It was classy of Obama to offer to help him keep his house.

[global1]

4. Now That's Taking Obamacare To The nth Degree......nt

[wendylaroux]

5. wish people did not

have to worry about health care costs.everyone deserves the best care possible.
Very nice of PBO to offer.

[frazzled]

7. It doesn't appear to be about the health care costs

It was apparently about the possibility that Beau would have to resign his job because of his health situation. This would put his family in a difficult situation, in terms of paying the mortgage, possibly school tuitions, etc. The elder Bidens were willing to sell their home to keep things going for the family.

I'm sure Beau Biden had good health insurance that covered the preponderance of the medical bills. It's when the rest of your life falls apart because of cancer that things get tough. How do I know this? Because we've just lived through a tough year of cancer. Our insurance covered absolutely everything (and I'm talking about 2 substantial hospital stays, one major and 3 smaller surgeries, 5 months of chemo, etc.). Our only costs were parking fees for the hospital and doctors, and $40 copays for each specialist visit. But we would STILL have been in huge trouble but for one good bit of fortune--my husband did not have to go on unpaid leave. The illness happened to coincide with his scheduled sabbatical. If he had had to stop working and we had no money coming in, we would have had impossible financial difficulties. And I dare say he would not have done as well as he has.

[Tab]

10. Perhaps that's it

My healthcare costs, though substantial, get picked up here and there, but on top of that is my lifestyle (such that it is now) that really needs me to work to be sustained. Otherwise, yes, the house and other things I've worked for go down the drain. That's our challenge now.

I'm even selling my piano (actually donating it to a local school) to reduce my footprint for when I have to move. That's the point I know things start looking irretrievable.

[exboyfil]

16. Big chunck of my parents 401(k)

went for travel expenses to Houston when my dad was dying of cancer. He had decent insurance (fortunately he kept his company insurance after retirement whose premiums was somewhat subsidized). He had thought about going naked with insurance until he reached 65 (Medicare).

My mom got kicked off his insurance when he died, and she ended up with significant bills when she purchased a bare bones policy that really did not pay much.

Laws change but if they remain the same. I am looking at working until I am 68 and my wife qualifies for Medicare (I am currently 52 and my wife is 49).

[Tab]

17. I don't even want to talk about my mother's savings account

I feel so bad for that - she's helped us through to the point that it's screwed up her retirement.

I moved to a Roth IRA some time ago when I figured out I might not make it to 65. I'm basically the same age as you. And signs point to an economic collapse in 2016. I don't know whether that's good for us (aid) or bad for us (zero money flow).

It's going to be an interesting year.

[artislife]

21. I just want to hug you and your loved ones.

What a tough time.

My brother just got the all clear on his cancer but those days were so tough, the amount of time he had to work to pay off all the co pays..he had "good" insurance but it is so costly. I will be forever in debt to his wonderful girlfriend of 18 years...she was his nurse and worked for most of one year as he recovered.

There is so much heartache and fatigue. I fully understand your site name...

May your family enjoy the best year yet.

[frazzled]

23. Thank you

And best wishes for a healthy, happy year to you and your family as well!

[Helen Borg]

11. So, even with the best health insurance...

They would not cover it fully? That is puzzling.

[JI7]

12. i dont think this is about health care but rather future income for the family

If he had to resign they would lose that income and possibly whatever future income they planned for based on his political career.

Selling their house would help with making up for any loss in income but Obama offered to help with money so they would not need to sell the house.

[Liberal_in_LA]

14. k&r

[houston16revival]

15. Sorry

I'm as true blue a Biden fan as anyone, having followed his Senate career
on Philadelphia news, but ...

while they may have anxiety over costs of healthcare, our political leaders
don't have worries about paying for them.

[LanternWaste]

18. It's not often we're clever enough to take away an absolute bad from a good deed.

It's not often we're clever enough to take away an absolute bad from a good deed. But that's humanity for you...

[houston16revival]

20. Yes

People see things in all sorts of different ways. They have internal inconsistencies,
and doubts, and don't trust everyone, or those above them. That's what makes
life. If we all thought the same it would be boring.

[artislife]

22. They are deep friends. nt

[demtenjeep]

24. they genuinely love and respect each other

it has been the best pairing I think ever

[laundry_queen]

27. I agree. nt

[AngryAmish]

25. Thanks Obama!

[whathehell]

28. Beautiful gesture..

They are true friends.

[WheelWalker]

29. That's doing a friend a solid.

[PatrickforO]

30. Obama's a good guy. So is Biden.

If it weren't for his touting TPP, I would think him a great president instead of a darned good one.