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July 13, 2009
Hugs as Healthcare
There's no way we can pay for ObamaCare; the numbers just don't add up. But who cares? The important thing is to create the impression that our rulers are seizing control of the healthcare industry, inevitably consigning millions to the misery of rationed substandard care, not because they are greedy for still more power but because they are gushing with empathy.
Regina Benjamin, Obama's pick for Surgeon General, fits perfectly with the liberal approach to healthcare. A U.S. Snooze of Last Resort puff piece reports on her practice in rural Alabama:
Back in Bayou La Batre, no one gets turned away at the clinic for being short on cash; patients pay however they can. "We get shrimp, oysters," [Benjamin's 78-year-old staff nurse Nell] Stoddard says. "Mostly just love." The doctor and her staff reciprocate, dispensing hugs as an essential ingredient of high-quality healthcare.
If only a sensation of gooey warmth could make cancer go away — or balance budgets.
On a tip from Ghost of Vince Foster.
Posted by Van Helsing at July 13, 2009 9:54 AM
Comments
Visibly qualified. That really is fantastic.
Posted by: Krouse at July 13, 2009 10:14 AM
"Back in Bayou La Batre, no one gets turned away at the clinic for being short on cash; patients pay however they can."
Here's the real reason nobody gets turned away:
“…Once classified as a rural health clinic, Benjamin’s practice would receive a lump sum for each Medicare or Medicaid patient she treated rather than having to bill separately for office visits, X-rays, and other services.”
That's right. They don't have to do the onerous paperwork for individual patients that makes Medicare and Medicaid a losing proposition for most doctors. Just plow through patients and get paid.
Posted by: forest at July 13, 2009 10:17 AM
One wonders how many hugs her bank account holds, or bushels of oysters.
Posted by: Viking04 at July 13, 2009 10:36 AM
Rush reported today that she doesn't think physicians should earn profits. She doesn't appear to be starving, however.
Posted by: Karin at July 13, 2009 10:37 AM
That's probably what we're all going to wind up with, when Obama takes over
Posted by: ToddonCapeCod at July 13, 2009 10:38 AM
"One wonders how many hugs her bank account holds, or bushels of oysters."
A darn good observation there, Viking04. And as we can all see here, she certainly ain't going hungry...
Posted by: Fuzzlenutter at July 13, 2009 10:49 AM
"Rush reported today that she doesn't think physicians should earn profits. She doesn't appear to be starving, however.
Posted by: Karin at July 13, 2009 10:37 AM"
Hehe, right. That must be why she is getting lump sum payments from Medicaid and also enjoyed a 500,000 hug no-strings-attached grant. I'm sure she's giving it all back, right?
Posted by: forest at July 13, 2009 10:50 AM
SQUAWK SQUAWK HUGS NOT DRUGS HUGS NOT DRUGS HUGS NOT DRUGS SQUAWK SQUAWK SQUAWK
Posted by: SPURWING PLOVER at July 13, 2009 11:12 AM
whal she be heppin dem po folks wit dey cawffs an dey rashez an stufs, she'd bess be liten up on dem BigMacs.
she gone be tellin me ah gotta do sum wawkin and cut down da fatbak?
Posted by: Shooter1001 at July 13, 2009 11:52 AM
With mentions of Bayou La Batre and shrimp, I couldn't help but think of another Forrest Gump reference:
Stupid is as stupid does.
Posted by: Crush Liberalism at July 13, 2009 12:11 PM
What's she gonna do when the government refuses to pay for a hip or knee replacement because she's obese, and if she smokes, treatment for heart disease? Now if she were gay man who and has aids and has unprotected sex with multiple partners, that would certainly be O.K.
Posted by: C-Bug at July 13, 2009 2:33 PM
Jumbalai Crawfish pie and be Gay-O
We gonna all get rich on Medicaid-O
give big hugs and free drugs every day-O
We gonna have big fun on the Bayou
Posted by: mmmmmBurgers at July 13, 2009 4:05 PM
how bout handshakes?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1C_NWMRs8Q
Posted by: Artfldgr at July 13, 2009 5:07 PM
What a surprise from Chairman O ... we get a Joceyln Elders II, who has the currently preferred race credential, for Surgeon General. Although the first Joceyln's real name is "Minnie" Joceyln Elders, I think "Maxie" will be more fitting for this one.
Posted by: Clingtomyguns at July 13, 2009 6:33 PM
Shrimp and Oysters are very fattening; especially when drowned in butter and sauces. Its quite clear she is eating all the revenues.
Posted by: Anonymous at July 14, 2009 5:42 AM
her salary starts out at $182,000+ per year - that's a lotta lobster baby!
Posted by: nancz at July 14, 2009 6:16 AM
...hugs as an essential ingredient of high-quality healthcare.
It would be awesome to watch her explain that one to Dr. Cox from Scrubs. (Pity he's fictional)
Posted by: mandible claw at July 14, 2009 11:18 PM
