Quick, Pass the Viagra! Hannity's Overhyped Hit Job on "Sicko" Falls Flat!
Reported by Marie Therese - July 16, 2007 -
UPDATED AND CORRECTED a second time. See note below the fold. All week Sean Hannity has promised that during Hannity's America he would expose the web of lies and deceit behind Michael Moore's hit movie, Sicko. Claiming that Moore has focused only on the "good things" about "socialized" medicine in England, France and Canada, Hannity boasted that his guest, Stuart Browning, would rip the curtain back and shine the light of day on the dark underbelly of Canadian medical coverage. The interview was, to say the least, underwhelming. With video.
SOME INFORMATION CONTAINED IN MY ORIGINAL POST WAS INCORRECT, IT WAS OBTAINED FROM ANOTHER WEBSITE. ALL REFERENCES TO THE ORIGINAL BLOG ARTICLE FROM SAMIZDAT.COM HAVE BEEN REMOVED, SINCE IT PROVED TO BE INCOMPLETE AND ULTIMATELY INACCURATE. ALL UPDATES PRIOR TO THIS ONE HAVE BEEN REMOVED IN THE INTERESTS OF CLARITY. I TRY TO USE RELIABLE SOURCES - AND GENERALLY SUCCEED - BUT THIS TIME, I FAILED TO DIG DEEPER. MY APOLOGIES FOR THE INADVERTENT MISINFORMATION. - MARIE THERESE
Hannity started off by asking Browning if he has any connections to the health care industry, to which Browning answered "no." Hannity then aired clips from Browning's analysis of Canada's health care system. Michael Moore, a private citizen, does advocate for the abolishment of private health insurance companies, but most legislators who favor single-payer health coverage in the United States are also in favor of a privately funded system as well.
Hannity threw a red herring to his audience, hoping to focus attention away from the devastating and truthful content of Moore's documentary. In his "documentary" Browning only highlights three cases. There are 76 videos on YouTube right now, outlining medical insurance horror stories in the United States.
As Moore has been known to say, in Canada everyone is covered but in the United States, we've removed 43 million people from the line so we don't have to wait!
As for Stuart Browning, he's a Miami-based man of great wealth who, judging from his cool attire and lack of socks, believes he's the reincarnation of Sonny Crockett, Don Johnson's Miami Vice persona.
COMMENT
This interview was long on promises and short on delivery - sort of like Hannity himself!
Here are a few of my own observations about the so-called "best health care system in the world:"
1. College student son of a friend suffered three strokes as a child of 3 months. He is moderately physically impaired. When he graduates in two years, there are many companies that will not hire him because he is a health risk. Cannot buy health insurance under the current system. Uninsurable.
2. 16 year old son of a good friend, diagnosed with a benign tumor on his spine. Tumor removed successfully. Tests reveal benign brain tumor, which must be monitored regularly by doctor. Now, at 20 years old, he is uninsurable.
3. Acquaintance in mid-50s, worth $2.5 million in property and trust funds. Anemic and overweight. Cannot find any company that will insure her, even though she's willing to pay for it. Uninsurable even though able to pay high premiums.
4. Adult piano student of mine fifteen years ago. Her mother and her two sisters lived into their nineties. All three women owned homes that were to be left to my student's two children as the only heirs. All three women needed long-term care. My student could not get Medicaid to pay until she had sold all three homes and used up the proceeds, thereby depriving her children of their inheritance.
5. I'm 59 years old. My health insurance premium is over $500.00 a month and does not cover my prescription eyeglasses. It covers 10% of basic dental. In three years I will not be able to afford the premium. Have received a letter recently telling me that if I'm late again with my payment, they reserve the right to cancel my coverage. I have paid tens of thousands of dollars to this insurance company for 32 years.
6. The HIPAA portability provisions do not extend to self-employed individuals. This means that I do not have the ability to move to a more affordable state unless I am willing to take the chance and live without health insurance since there is no portability guarantee.
There are millions of other Americans just like me out there, each with just as many or more "horror" stories.
N. B. Post amended July 16, 2007 at 4:53 AM for clarity and to add new material. - MT
N. B. #2 - Post updated July 16, 2007 9:37 Am to include audio clip from Thom Hartmann Show. Interview with economist Devon Herrick, who has appeared in Stuart Browning's movies. - MT
THOM HARTMAN SHOW, AIR AMERICA, JULY 5, 2007 (AUDIO ONLY)
