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March 19, 2010 in Nation/World
Boy’s story angers conservatives
Columnists, talk show hosts say Democrats are exploiting him
Eleven-year-old Marcelas Owens, seen here with his grandmother Gina Owens and Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., testifying on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on March 10, has come under fire from conservative talk show hosts and columnists who say he’s being exploited. McClatchy Tribune
(Full-size photo)
WASHINGTON – Conservative talk show hosts and columnists have ridiculed an 11-year-old Washington state boy’s account of his mother’s death as a “sob story” exploited by the White House and congressional Democrats like a “kiddie shield” to defend their health care legislation.
Marcelas Owens, whose mother got sick, lost her job, lost her health insurance and died, said Thursday he’s taking the attacks from Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and Michelle Malkin in stride.
“My mother always taught me they can have their own opinion but that doesn’t mean they are right,” Marcelas, who lives in Seattle, said in an interview.
Marcelas’ grandmother, Gina, who watched her daughter die, isn’t quite so generous.
“These are adults, and he is an 11-year-old boy who lost his mother,” Gina Owens said. “They should be ashamed.”
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., told Marcelas Owens’ story to President Barack Obama at the White House health care summit last month. Murray also has spoken about it on the Senate floor. Last week, Marcelas was in the nation’s capital to speak at a health care rally.
Limbaugh, Beck and Malkin are skeptical about the story, saying there were other forms of medical help available after Marcelas’ mother, Tifanny, lost her health insurance. They lambasted Democrats for using the story.
“Now this is unseemly, exploitative, an 11-year-old boy being forced to tell his story all over just to benefit the Democrat Party and Barack Obama,” Limbaugh said on March 12, according to a transcript from his show. “And, I would say this to Marcelas Owens: ‘Well, your mom would still have died, because Obamacare doesn’t kick in until 2014.’ ”
Beck, according to a transcript of his March 15 show, pointed out that Marcelas’ recent trip to Washington was paid for by Healthcare of America, a group that has been lobbying for a health care overhaul.
“That’s the George Soros-funded Obama-approved group fighting for health care,” Beck said. “Since all of the groups are so concerned and involved now, may I ask where were you when Marcelas’ mother was vomiting blood?”
Beck, who’s from Mount Vernon, Wash., said there were plenty of programs in Washington state that could have helped Tifanny Owens.
Tifanny Owens died in June 2007 of pulmonary hypertension, which is described as high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs that can lead to heart failure. The disease is considered rare. While there’s no cure, it can be treated.
The treatments can cost as much as $100,000 a year and must be “consistent and constant,” said Katie Kroner, the director of advocacy and awareness for the Pulmonary Hypertension Association.
“It’s extremely important to have health coverage,” she said.
Tifanny Owens was an assistant manager at a fast food restaurant when she became sick in September 2006. As she became sicker, she missed work and was eventually fired, leaving her without health insurance. She was treated twice in an emergency room and died at age 27 after a week of unconsciousness. Gina Owens has custody of Marcelas and his two younger sisters.
Gina Owens said her daughter didn’t qualify for Medicaid. State officials said that without knowing the details, it was impossible to speculate on whether Tifanny Owens would have qualified.
Tifanny Owens might have been eligible for Washington state’s Basic Health plan, which is aimed at the working poor. The plan has had a long waiting list for some time, said Sharon Michael of the Washington state Health Care Authority.
Murray said she was appalled at how vicious the health care debate has become.
“The mom in me is getting really mad,” she said. “You don’t tear apart an 11-year-old because his mom died.”
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Scoutster on March 19 at 6:33 a.m.
Wow, what classy guys!
Ninch on March 19 at 8:00 a.m.
Do you mean the radio commentators who look like they did some research or the Democratic exploiters?
I agree that here in Washington State there are options for the uninsured. I am not quite sure why she did not qualify for Medicaid??? unless she had too many assets… but notably this state also has a high risk pool. Need health insurance info?…call SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors) at 1-800-562-6900 who can help people understand health care coverage options and rights as well as help them find affordable health care coverage.
BTW: Obamacare would not have helped this woman because it is only a mandate for everyone to buy health insurance and NOT ACCESS to health care, and Obamacare does not begin to take effect for 4 years. Obamacare additionally increases the Medicaid roles and state obligations (except Nebraska, etc.) to pay for this expansion… which means more debt for our state. It will make Washington State worse off in trying to fund more federally-mandated programs. If all 50 states are given “Cornhusker” medicaid benefits then our national debt will increase even more and federal taxes will rise among all (not just the rich). Our state is better off without Obamacare no matter what the so-called “progressive” Dems think. Just because Obama, Pelosi, and Reid promised to fund these mandates does not mean that it will happen.
MrNatural on March 19 at 9:08 a.m.
Doesn’t anyone feel that these “pundits” are fostering treason and dissention in America under the guise of free speech? Shouldn’t they be held to a higher standard of civility, discourse and disclosure? If you incite a riot, create ideological vigilantism, or yell fire in a crowded theatre aren’t you breaking the law?
I cannot come close to condoning their hate under the excuse of free speech. Can’t we deplore and control malicious hateful behavior in this country anymore? My God this child lost his mother and it was brought to the attention of the public regarding deficiencies in health care in this country. It’s ok to intellectually debate the health care issue but to slander the child and family is unconscionable and criminal.
dmartin on March 19 at 10:42 a.m.
The health care they tqalk about is a joke my wife had wa.state basic health care yea it started at a $20.00 ,a month then by 3 years it was well above $250.00 a month .they keep rasing the rate by saying her age was a factor and smoking anything to get more money thank god she was able to draw S.S.disabily
mikeln on March 19 at 3:55 p.m.
No matter how you slice it, the health insurance industry in this country has been a racket since 1963 when our government let these companies operate free of those pesky anti-racket laws. Now is the time to get rid of these criminals and develope a fair system for everybody.