I have admired McCain since he shut down a woman at a rally in 2008 when she called Obama a Muslim, he told her she was wrong that Obama was a good man with whom he had political differences. Can anyone imagine the current POTUS doing something as noble and to his political detriment. I wish him a speedy recovery and like others hope this strikes a chord in him about the need for health care for all.
20
I wish the news reports about McCain's "health problem" would just ditch the nonsense about a need to"remove a blood clot from above his left eye". A "2-inch one at that."
It has nothing to do with his eye. His blood clot is inside his skull (hence the need for a craniotomy) He had a small subdural hematoma in his left frontal lobe.possibly chronic but more likely acute. A large share of 80 year olds are on chronic anti-coagulation-reasons range from A-fib,coronary artery stents,history of pulmonary emboli, as well as angioplasty and stenting of the arteries of the leg.It's a long list of what gets you on anti-coagulants, but a very short list of what causes a bleed within the brain or its surrounding membranes,its self. Does he have metastatic melanoma to the brain? Did he fall and hit his head while doddering around?, Did a small aneurysm burst? His handlers are not releasing information most likely similar to the Gabby Gifford dog and pony show,or Ted Kennedy being wheeled into the Senate to cast a deciding vote. There's a rather long list of "impaired" politicians who though incapacitated are/were a book mark.Meanwhile their "staff" is playing " Game of Thrones",swapping false stories while advancing their own ambitions.Using a "dead hand" as a bargaining chip. Or what can be less charitably called "a borrowed ladder."
The use of the phrase ""remove a blood clot from above his left eye",is misleading to the point of being "ingenious".
It has nothing to do with his eye. His blood clot is inside his skull (hence the need for a craniotomy) He had a small subdural hematoma in his left frontal lobe.possibly chronic but more likely acute. A large share of 80 year olds are on chronic anti-coagulation-reasons range from A-fib,coronary artery stents,history of pulmonary emboli, as well as angioplasty and stenting of the arteries of the leg.It's a long list of what gets you on anti-coagulants, but a very short list of what causes a bleed within the brain or its surrounding membranes,its self. Does he have metastatic melanoma to the brain? Did he fall and hit his head while doddering around?, Did a small aneurysm burst? His handlers are not releasing information most likely similar to the Gabby Gifford dog and pony show,or Ted Kennedy being wheeled into the Senate to cast a deciding vote. There's a rather long list of "impaired" politicians who though incapacitated are/were a book mark.Meanwhile their "staff" is playing " Game of Thrones",swapping false stories while advancing their own ambitions.Using a "dead hand" as a bargaining chip. Or what can be less charitably called "a borrowed ladder."
The use of the phrase ""remove a blood clot from above his left eye",is misleading to the point of being "ingenious".
8
I'm sure Senator McCain spent a good deal of time shopping for the best price. it's an expensive procedure that with a bit of research can be found on the cheap.
5
First of all politics aside, I wish him well. Second, "non-invasive craniotomy" is oxymoronic.
6
Reading the comments, I can't believe the utter gullibility of my fellow liberals. Just as they have pinned their hopes that darling little Ivanka will lead and guide her daddy to some semblance of humanity, liberals still see the guy who chose Sarah Palin as a running mate as some wonderful tempering force on his fellow Republicans.
9
I'm glad that Senator McCain has Congressional health care. It gives him peace of mind and will save him a whopping personal bill. Hope, though, he takes a look at the total before his special insurance, and reflects on how his constituents will pay such an amount should he vote yes when he returns to the Senate.
17
Maybe God is dropping a hint, as Pat Robertson would say.
9
I cannot believe how crooked our Government has become. It has become a big game to those folks we have, in good faith, sent to Washington to represent us. To the winners go the spoils; to the voters go the most pitiful healthcare plan they can come up with. Just hold things up until we can get a Senator who is on sick-leave as is a sure bet to vote for for the bill and against Tom, Dick, and Mary—the citizens.
The citizens, the voters who pay the taxes that pay these people, mean nothing to those in power except as pawns to sacrifice in order to win the game. And they've got lots and lots and lots of pawns. They maneuver us around on the game board to suit their fancy. We are numbers, needed to get into power but not worth spending our own tax dollars on our own healthcare. Those of us who aren't losing our lives in some foreign country fighting in the wars the government set into action are just another sort of fodder, not even worth keeping healthy
Where's our Mr. Smith? He can't get into Washington because he can't get together enough funds to compete in a campaign. Like it or not, we can't honestly call ourselves a democracy anymore. We are a plutocracy or Oligarchy, at best. They don't refer to us as "serfs" yet—that's generations away. It will come after the public education system has been done away with. It will be after a plague of some sort wipes out the weaker, less healthy among us. But it's coming . . .
The citizens, the voters who pay the taxes that pay these people, mean nothing to those in power except as pawns to sacrifice in order to win the game. And they've got lots and lots and lots of pawns. They maneuver us around on the game board to suit their fancy. We are numbers, needed to get into power but not worth spending our own tax dollars on our own healthcare. Those of us who aren't losing our lives in some foreign country fighting in the wars the government set into action are just another sort of fodder, not even worth keeping healthy
Where's our Mr. Smith? He can't get into Washington because he can't get together enough funds to compete in a campaign. Like it or not, we can't honestly call ourselves a democracy anymore. We are a plutocracy or Oligarchy, at best. They don't refer to us as "serfs" yet—that's generations away. It will come after the public education system has been done away with. It will be after a plague of some sort wipes out the weaker, less healthy among us. But it's coming . . .
9
Let me pile on with the rest. Old dude on government healthcare holding up a vote on denying healthcare to tens of millions. However unlike the rest, just because you once were a hero protecting America doesn't mean you will always be a hero protecting Americans. So hopefully, goodbye and good riddance.
9
This would be an excellent time for Senators to enjoy the Healthcare they want for the rest of us.
We pay for their healthcare as a taxpayer funded entitlement so when we cut Medicaid and Medicare, we cut that entitlement. If they should lose their job by resignation or are fired by their employer, us, all insurance is terminated and they will be subject to the same Healthcare coverage as every American.
Since they will be in the John Q. Public healthcare system, they will have to be subjected to their preexisting conditions. Considering most got their first AARP magazine decades ago, I'm guessing almost every one will be "high risk".
They can enjoy the super efficient insurance markets. Like everything with the GOP, it's socialism for them, brutal capitalism my for the rest of us.
We pay for their healthcare as a taxpayer funded entitlement so when we cut Medicaid and Medicare, we cut that entitlement. If they should lose their job by resignation or are fired by their employer, us, all insurance is terminated and they will be subject to the same Healthcare coverage as every American.
Since they will be in the John Q. Public healthcare system, they will have to be subjected to their preexisting conditions. Considering most got their first AARP magazine decades ago, I'm guessing almost every one will be "high risk".
They can enjoy the super efficient insurance markets. Like everything with the GOP, it's socialism for them, brutal capitalism my for the rest of us.
6
Speedy recovery for Sen McCain and Rep Scalise!
What are there co-payments and deductibles? What are their out of pocket expenses? Are they worried that their insurance will be dropped or premiums increased? Did they worry that their hospital or doctor will not accept their insurance?
What are there co-payments and deductibles? What are their out of pocket expenses? Are they worried that their insurance will be dropped or premiums increased? Did they worry that their hospital or doctor will not accept their insurance?
14
Good thing McCain has great health care insurance! Pity the poor people who don't, and the old people who get pushed off Medicaid when they need nursing home care, due to Medicaid caps that force difficult choices which, of course, the Congress won't have anything to do with. "Its all up to the states." McConnell will swear that he didn't force anybody off Medicaid. No, all he did was cut the available money by 40% - but what does he think is going to actually happen? What is astounding is the ability of these Republican legislators either to deny what the actual effects of their ACA "replacement" will be to real people. Or, even more disturbing, to know full well what the effects are going to be, and go ahead and do it anyway. The difference, I suppose, between willful denial and venal mendacity... and I know which one I'm tending towards believing. Perhaps we should force all these legislators to take the exact same coverage they are providing for the poorest people on Medicaid, and nothing more.
33
Throughout his career, it has seemed as if there have always been two John McCains. There is the valiant and noble John McCain -- the man who declined a release offered by his North Vietnamese captors because his fellow prisoners were not offered the same, and the man who reminded America that torture "is not about who they are, it's about who we are." And then there has been the hot-tempered, vindictive McCain. I would sincerely hope, in the upcoming healthcare vote, that the Senator would not allow the latter John McCain's petty desire to destroy his predecessor's (and former political rival's) legacy to emerge, while the care and concern for his fellow citizens of the former John McCain remains silent.
11
I'm a Democrat, but for the most part (except for that Sarah Palin 'thing') I've admired McCain's maverick style. I wish him well.
7
Is this not the ultimate Faustian deal that the Republicans in Congress and the president of United States urgently pray for the recovery of Senator John McCain so that he might fly back to Washington to vote to strip 23 million Americans of the same healthcare coverage they enjoy? This gives new meaning to the ancient myth of a bargain with the devil.
15
Interesting that this was originally reported as " a blood clot above the eye." Technically correct but an obfuscation of the true nature of his condition of a subfrontal subdural haematoma. Also, this is something only detectable by sophisticated imaging techniques, CT or MRI, certainly not part of a "routine" physical examination ation. There is probably more to this story than has been shared with the public.
16
Saying a prayer for his health.
8
This is the senators last term, and yet he has voted with the president 95% of the time.
He has a reputation as somewhat of a maverick, obviously he is not.
Senator McCain has an opportunity to say that this event has focused his thinking, that access to special medical care is not just a senators privilege. By his vote we will see what kind of a man he truly is, especially now.
He has a reputation as somewhat of a maverick, obviously he is not.
Senator McCain has an opportunity to say that this event has focused his thinking, that access to special medical care is not just a senators privilege. By his vote we will see what kind of a man he truly is, especially now.
12
My guess is that Mitch McConnell will push McCain to resign, so Doug Ducey (Arizona Governor) can appoint someone more "ant-progressive" than McCain.
9
Godspeed Senator McCain.
7
Pretty funny or sad, depending on your situation as far as health insurance; Sen McCain will return after recovering from surgery to vote on taking away my and millions of other’s health insurance. No, I’m not on Medicaid but I have a serious pre-existing condition and the high risk pool they intend to stick folks like me in(and Sen. McCain) is worthless and very expensive. McCain’s lucky; he’s wealthy and he’ll have good insurance, subsidized by we the tax payer, no matter how he votes.
15
God Speed recovery for Senator McCain. He has served our Country as a Soldier and Senator, a patriot in the real sense of the word. But everyone gets old and our body and mind gets frail. But he should not keep his illness under wraps because he wants to remain a Senator. Laughing off his bizarre questioning of Comey, dismissing it as a joke is no laughing matter. The F.B.I. Director's questioning has come at a very crucial time when our Democracy and our Country has been attacked. As a real patriot the Senator should retire and concentrate on his health. Senator McConnell has already postponed for McCain's vote which is unscrupulous by itself. And Senator McCain is not helping by being transparent about his illness. This is Bill which is going to hurt millions of our citizens and it behooves Sen. McCain to be fully in charge of his faculties while he votes. If he is unwell he should recuse himself and McConnell will have to accept the situation and take a vote. He knows he will not have the votes and hence all the drama. I just hope more Republican Senators go against this cruel travesty of a bill. A Bill which upturns people's lives so hard should'nt be at the mercy of a sick Senator.
9
Why bother waiting for him to come back, just put him down for a no vote. The never Trump leader. This traitor will vote for the anti-American, obstructionist democrats no matter what. There should be a mandatory retirement age for Congress, especially when they show signs of dementia. Term limits, please.
2
How about mandatory retirement age for treasonous presidents showing signs of dementia? Bye bye, Trump!
13
There ain't no room for the hopeless sinner who would hurt all mankind just to save his own.
- Bob Marley
- Bob Marley
10
Good thing the Senator has health insurance so his condition can be treated and he hopefully experiences a full recovery. Unfortunately, if the Republicans have their way, tens of millions of people currently with insurance would lose it and go into serious debt if they were unfortunate enough to have a similar problem.
11
Please NYTimes... attempt to spotlight his policies and veterans benefits regarding his health insurance!
Thank you
Thank you
5
How's his health insurance? That was rhetorical, but in all seriousness maybe a policy person could do a cost analysis between the ACA and the Senate Health Care plan regarding his preexisting health status and the surgery he just underwent.
12
Would suggest you all lobby your own Senators on health care because they count constituent phone calls and letters.
8
The vote to take away your healthcare has been postponed until John McCain recovers from the surgery your tax dollars just paid for.
19
I wish you good health Senator McCain.
Mitch McConnell -- How ironic that you are concerned about John McCain's health!
Mitch McConnell -- How ironic that you are concerned about John McCain's health!
14
Do be well, Senator. I do not agree with you politically in general, but I care about you.
8
Like so many I wish Senator McCain a speedy recovery and hope that he is doing well.
I also hope he has time to reflect on the excellent healthcare he has and realize it's something everyone should have.
I also hope he has time to reflect on the excellent healthcare he has and realize it's something everyone should have.
18
Get well soon!
1
Like many Democrats, I generally don't agree with McCain's politics, but I have read his autobiography and I have very great respect for him as a hero, a patriot, and a decent human being. I hope he recovers quickly and returns to work. I very much wish him the best.
Eric Schubert
Chattanooga, TN
Eric Schubert
Chattanooga, TN
6
John McCain is a hero and earned the right to recover no matter how long it takes...
4
John Mc Caneiak is a hero! too any of you out there read his bio. a Veteran,66-70,U.S.A.F, Medic.
1
Lucky he can't vote from his bed. Stay there buddy.
4
Did he need a referral to see the specialist? Did they make him pony up the $20-50 copay? Or did he forget his Amex card and need to run home before they would remove the clot? Private room? Inquiring minds want to know.
10
How much of senator McCain' care would be covered under trumpcare? They should do an article on comparing trumpcare v Obamacare...have a feeling a regular citizen would have to pay lot out of pocket - what senators take for granted under their generous plans.
13
McCaine is the classic example of a pre existing condition. Were he 20 years younger and not a Senator married to a wealthy woman he would not be able to afford insurance under the Senate plan...
32
Maybe I'm naive and certainly not medically trained, but I would think that any surgery involving probing the skull, is serious.
9
Dr. David J. Langer, the chairman of neurosurgery at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan, said a likely diagnosis was a subdural hematoma, a collection of blood between the dura and the brain.
“You would hope it’s a subdural, a relatively benign process,” Dr. Langer said.
A subdural hematoma -- you mean like the thing that killed Natasha Richardson after a minor fall on a beginner's ski slope?
The thing that also happened to have killed my grandmother, after hypostatic low blood pressure caused a fainting spell?
The thing that can cause what doctors informally call "Talk and Die" syndrome, because the patient can seem fine, talking and walking normally -- no symptoms at all -- just an hour or so before they suddenly pass away? That's exactly what happened with Natasha Richardson.
Since when is a subdural hematoma "relatively benign"? Relative to getting shot in the head with expanding dumdum bullets, sure.
“You would hope it’s a subdural, a relatively benign process,” Dr. Langer said.
A subdural hematoma -- you mean like the thing that killed Natasha Richardson after a minor fall on a beginner's ski slope?
The thing that also happened to have killed my grandmother, after hypostatic low blood pressure caused a fainting spell?
The thing that can cause what doctors informally call "Talk and Die" syndrome, because the patient can seem fine, talking and walking normally -- no symptoms at all -- just an hour or so before they suddenly pass away? That's exactly what happened with Natasha Richardson.
Since when is a subdural hematoma "relatively benign"? Relative to getting shot in the head with expanding dumdum bullets, sure.
13
Melanoma runs in my family. If I lose my health care I would probably die if I get melanoma and can't pay for the kind of cancer treatment that has enabled Mr. McCain to survive 3 bouts with malignant melanoma. My father survived a near fatal melanoma because he had both excellent insurance and was able to participate in a treatment study sponsored by the federal govt.
Wishing Senator McCain a speedy recovery. And may he have the wisdom to understand his support of this health care bill will kill uninsured people who are diagnosed with melanoma. A dose of empathy would be useful here, sir.
Wishing Senator McCain a speedy recovery. And may he have the wisdom to understand his support of this health care bill will kill uninsured people who are diagnosed with melanoma. A dose of empathy would be useful here, sir.
17
I hope Senator McCain has a speedy and successful recovery. He's lucky that this was caught during a routine physical. So many Americans are at risk of losing that very basic benefit of being able to afford a routine physical and too, of having the costs covered by their insurance. Please Senator McCain, think about the benefit of having access to good healthcare and help put a stop to the threat of so many Americans losing their healthcare.
15
Maybe off point, but remember Sen. McCain chose Sarah Palin for his running mate. There's definitely something wrong there.
8
An open letter to Senator John McCain:
Dear Senator McCain,
I wish for you renewed health and a speedy recover. As you know, all has been on hold around the passing of the repeal and replace Senate healthcare bill while you have been recovering from eye surgery. How ironic that the Senate awaits your return to acquire the vote they can’t afford to lose if they want to pass that bill which will throw 20-22 million Americans off the healthcare rolls leaving them uninsured, exposed, and vulnerable.
You, Senator, who has within the last week experienced how critically important it is to ones quality of life to have full access to healthcare, should be the hero leading the charge against such a disgraceful outcome. I hope as you recover, you are inspired to have a change of heart, mind, and consciousness and affirm that the most vulnerable children, elders, and disabled citizens of the richest country in the world deserve to receive healthcare.
It is shameful that America is the only developed nation in the world with such an undeveloped sense of core values that we don’t collectively believe healthcare is a right for all citizens. In order to contribute and give back to our communities to the fullest of their potential, people need the opportunity to live quality, healthy lives.
That is what will make America greater than our past. What we need now are heroes, not minions. You were once perceived a hero; can we count on you again?
Sincerely,
Dear Senator McCain,
I wish for you renewed health and a speedy recover. As you know, all has been on hold around the passing of the repeal and replace Senate healthcare bill while you have been recovering from eye surgery. How ironic that the Senate awaits your return to acquire the vote they can’t afford to lose if they want to pass that bill which will throw 20-22 million Americans off the healthcare rolls leaving them uninsured, exposed, and vulnerable.
You, Senator, who has within the last week experienced how critically important it is to ones quality of life to have full access to healthcare, should be the hero leading the charge against such a disgraceful outcome. I hope as you recover, you are inspired to have a change of heart, mind, and consciousness and affirm that the most vulnerable children, elders, and disabled citizens of the richest country in the world deserve to receive healthcare.
It is shameful that America is the only developed nation in the world with such an undeveloped sense of core values that we don’t collectively believe healthcare is a right for all citizens. In order to contribute and give back to our communities to the fullest of their potential, people need the opportunity to live quality, healthy lives.
That is what will make America greater than our past. What we need now are heroes, not minions. You were once perceived a hero; can we count on you again?
Sincerely,
27
Symptoms of the illness date back to the selection of Sarah Palin as his running mate.
McCain looks moderate and sensible to some in the wake of Trump's insanity, but McCain has always been a conservative allied with big business, including the war industry.
Without his own war/POW record, McCain would reek of the same problems as all the others whose votes are sold to the highest bidders.
McCain looks moderate and sensible to some in the wake of Trump's insanity, but McCain has always been a conservative allied with big business, including the war industry.
Without his own war/POW record, McCain would reek of the same problems as all the others whose votes are sold to the highest bidders.
11
A health problem is preventing a vote on health insurance reform. It is a good thing a senator has excellent coverage but the rest of Americans need the same kind of help.
13
The irony that they are waiting for his recovery so that he can vote for denying other people great medical care similar to that which he just received...brutal
9
Perhaps it's good for all the Senators who will take care of other elderly people who have no insurance when they suffer a similar problem. Or are their lives of such finished value compared to Senator McCain's (and all other members of both houses of Congress, apparently)?
2
Before Senator McCain returns to vote for the Trump/McConnell health bill, as he is reportedly planning he should remember that the charges for his brain surgery , as well as pre- and post-operative care have been paid by Medicare and his supplemental privately purchased insurance. Most Americans 65 and older have such coverage if they can afford the income-based Medicare fees and the cost of the supplemental insurance (which is the same regardless of income).
Now consider the most vulnerable of us without the financial resources McCain enjoys. They are the ones the senator may be voting to cut from Medicaid and the benefits of the ACA. There is a disconnect here. Let's hope that once recovered he will reconsider his vote for this legislation.
Now consider the most vulnerable of us without the financial resources McCain enjoys. They are the ones the senator may be voting to cut from Medicaid and the benefits of the ACA. There is a disconnect here. Let's hope that once recovered he will reconsider his vote for this legislation.
10
We wish Senator McCain the best.
However, this serious illness portends the end of his career as a senator. Hence, he should vote against the healthcare bill.
1. Because it is the right thing to do, and all Americans should have a chance at the same sort of procedure he received at the Mayo Clinic.
2. Because he does not have to answer to his arch-conservative constituency anymore in order to obtain reelection. He's free. He can vote with his conscience and do the right thing.
McCain's resignation or passing would be a very bad thing, because Arizona Gov. Ducey would appoint someone more conservative than McCain.
However, this serious illness portends the end of his career as a senator. Hence, he should vote against the healthcare bill.
1. Because it is the right thing to do, and all Americans should have a chance at the same sort of procedure he received at the Mayo Clinic.
2. Because he does not have to answer to his arch-conservative constituency anymore in order to obtain reelection. He's free. He can vote with his conscience and do the right thing.
McCain's resignation or passing would be a very bad thing, because Arizona Gov. Ducey would appoint someone more conservative than McCain.
11
Senators get voted in, however, if someone passes away, or retires, I guess the governor is apt to appoint someone else. Senator McCain would do a great deed for our country if he would vote "NO" on this cruel health care bill.
4
Although I wish Senator McCain well, it is incredibly ironic that he is receiving tax payer subsidized health care. Upon his return McConnell is counting on him to vote to deny others the same quality of insurance that he now enjoys.
24
Senator McCain is elderly, and neurosurgery is serious. What will happen to middle- and low-income elderly men and women with blood clots like Senator McCain's? Would they get the screenings they need? Would they get the preventive care and regular check ups? Would their "insurance" pay for the costly care Senator McCain is at this very moment receiving? Should Senator McCain's care be a for-profit endeavor, controlled by parasitic insurers, or should it be a common good of our collective agreement to work towards a better life and a more perfect union in the USA?
The irony inherent in the Republican's predicament -- not being able to take a vote on their morally bankrupt "health care" bill because McCain is receiving top-notch medical care -- seems to be a taboo topic. I haven't heard a single commentator mention this. But I will mention it. I wish the senator good health, but I wish this for low income Americans too. And female Americans. And working class Americans. And middle class Americans.
The irony inherent in the Republican's predicament -- not being able to take a vote on their morally bankrupt "health care" bill because McCain is receiving top-notch medical care -- seems to be a taboo topic. I haven't heard a single commentator mention this. But I will mention it. I wish the senator good health, but I wish this for low income Americans too. And female Americans. And working class Americans. And middle class Americans.
18
I certainly wish John McCain a speedy and pain-free recovery. It's so wonderful that he has the fantastic GOP healthcare plan to help his address his medical issues. Oh, wait...
15
My prayers go out to Senator McCain & his family. He is truly a great American.
I don’t know how anyone could vote for Trump after what Trump said about him.
The Republicans have always presented themselves as patriotic & supported our Armed Forces, what they are, are hypocrites.
I don’t know how anyone could vote for Trump after what Trump said about him.
The Republicans have always presented themselves as patriotic & supported our Armed Forces, what they are, are hypocrites.
8
McCain is a war-survivor with a distinguished [ for the most part ] public record - if he is able to resume his leading role as a senate maverick, good - if it is time for him to move on, I'm sure his voice will still be heard...
2
I wish Senator McCain a swift recovery, but it is also my hope that every American can count on the same level of medical care he enjoys. It's time for McCain to decide whether he wants to be a hero for his fellow Americans or a coward in the GOP.
Senator McCain used to be a political maverick, but that ended when he failed to forcefully defend US Veterans against unwarranted criticism from the draft dodger Donald Trump. This current medical procedure gives him the opportunity to forcefully advocate complete medical coverage for every American, at a cost that doesn't bankrupt a family. What's it going to be, Senator McCain? Hero or coward?
Senator McCain used to be a political maverick, but that ended when he failed to forcefully defend US Veterans against unwarranted criticism from the draft dodger Donald Trump. This current medical procedure gives him the opportunity to forcefully advocate complete medical coverage for every American, at a cost that doesn't bankrupt a family. What's it going to be, Senator McCain? Hero or coward?
13
People like John McCain, Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton and Ruth Bader Ginsberg have gone senile and its about time (way past actually) they retire with dignity and grace making way for younger lawmakers and justices to take the country forward.
3
I wish mr mccain speedy recovery..he has had his moments through the years,but he and even lindsay graham are seemingly two voices of reason left in the republican party..i wondered at the comey hearing,about his health because of his bizarre comments and statements..a bit incoherent..a blood clot, particularly on the brain,affects many things,up to and including the ability to form thought and words..the man is over 80 so it is to be expected he might have health issues..as someone else here noted, I hope his health problems will cause him to realize the importance of health care for all,and just because you are in a privileged position as senator with your own great health care plan,should not make you blind to the needs of others...
5
Hopefully Sen. McCain will recover fully from the blood clot surgery.
While recovering he will have the time to consider the importance of his vote on the Senate health care bill. Sen. McCain, who is wealthy, and his wife, a multi-millionaire, can afford the finest medical care in the world. It's ironic that the Senate is delaying the health care bill vote, which will chop medical benefits for a large segment of the U.S. population, in anticipation of McCain's return. If he casts his vote in favor of the bill, Sen. McCain, a war hero, can add the title "hypocrite" to his biography.
While recovering he will have the time to consider the importance of his vote on the Senate health care bill. Sen. McCain, who is wealthy, and his wife, a multi-millionaire, can afford the finest medical care in the world. It's ironic that the Senate is delaying the health care bill vote, which will chop medical benefits for a large segment of the U.S. population, in anticipation of McCain's return. If he casts his vote in favor of the bill, Sen. McCain, a war hero, can add the title "hypocrite" to his biography.
13
Be well, Senator McCain. My best wishes for your return to good health.
5
Too bad the Senator has decent medical insurance.
1
A lot of comments here are meanspirited and unnecessary , the Senator can afford to pay for his medical care . I'm sure Mrs McCain is very willing to pay for his medical care (she can afford it ) now whether he is doing so , we don't know , but be assured he does not need his cadillac plan and have some respect while you're at it , for him and the rest of us who find these sarcastic comments not useful at all. And yes , it would be nice if he votes against this people killer of an unhealthy plan the republicans have devised .
The senator and his wife may be able to AFFORD to pay for his health care, BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE TO. Why would they decide to pay out of pocket when they have the finest insurance available? Why would anyone even speculate on that? As far as Mrs. McCain being very willing to pay for her husband's medical care, perhaps so...but that is an assumption on your part. And we can be fairly certain that with all their superb coverage, the McCains are NOT paying out of pocket--they would have to be IDIOTS to do so! The senator has Medicare, and I am sure he also has a supplemental policy, and he and his wife also have the Cadillac health insurance plan that is mostly paid for by the taxpayers. Why would you conclude that it is disrespectful to mention the types of insurance and the access to health care that Senator McCain has? Or to question if his health issues might be inhibiting him from doing his job to the best of his ability? Or if he has, in the past, made wrong decisions? This is not disrespectful, nor is it sarcastic. We all wish John McCain a speedy recovery. I am not always in agreement with him on his political views, but, to me, he is a great war hero. However, if he returns to the Senate, and votes "YES" on the sadistic, corrupt, deceitful DEATH care bill, he is indeed a coward and a hypocrite. It would be a terrible shame, and I think that it will absolutely be a blot on his legacy if he chooses to vote for such reprehensible and cruel legislation.
1
Elin , why are you shouting? Reread my comment and read all the others , you are assuming too much , and there are some sarcastic comments , wow such anger, perhaps the shoe fits??
This criminal can't be gone soon enough...
2
(To the tune of London Bridge is Falling Down)
The healthcare bill is falling down, falling down, falling down.
The healthcare bill is falling down, my fair McCain.
The administration needs a win, needs a win, needs a win.
The administration needs a win, my fair McCain.
Get well soon, as fast as you can, fast as you can, fast as you can.
Get well soon, as fast as you can, my fair McCain.
The above notwithstanding, Senator McCain, I genuinely hope you DO have a quick and full recovery. And I wish the "surgeons" in the Senate would do the same for the ailing healthcare bill.
The healthcare bill is falling down, falling down, falling down.
The healthcare bill is falling down, my fair McCain.
The administration needs a win, needs a win, needs a win.
The administration needs a win, my fair McCain.
Get well soon, as fast as you can, fast as you can, fast as you can.
Get well soon, as fast as you can, my fair McCain.
The above notwithstanding, Senator McCain, I genuinely hope you DO have a quick and full recovery. And I wish the "surgeons" in the Senate would do the same for the ailing healthcare bill.
My first thought --like others-- The Comey hearing (!!) McCain was confused -- those convoluted questions and statements with no beginning middle or end. ..what the...? I thought, oh my, there is a health issue going on here. I wish the senator all the best and thank him for his service to the country in the military. I hope he will be honest with the American People when it is truly time to step down.from the enormous responsibilities of the US Senate.
1
And medical treatment not for all.
The Senate and Congress have great medical plans since they "take care" of the interests of the people of the United States - that's hard work!
The Senate and Congress have great medical plans since they "take care" of the interests of the people of the United States - that's hard work!
2
Not to make light of Senator McCain's health, but could this be the 'out' that the Republicans are desperate for in order to avoid voting to destroy the healthcare of tens of millions of citizens?
7
I wish Senator McCain nothing but the best for a quick and full recovery. But I find it hard to miss the irony in the fact that the Senate vote on a health care [sic] bill -- which will remove the ability of millions of Americans to access affordable healthcare -- is being delayed in order to ensure McCain will be present's vote for it, while McCain himself attends to his own health care needs with the help of very generous health insurance coverage that will remain intact for himself and his colleagues.
12
It looked post elecfion that of all the senators likely to stick to their guns and give Trump a hard time, it was going to be McCain and Graham. Two people I never thought Id ever be thankful for holding their seats. But that was at first blush, when everyone was shocked by the results. Their rhetoric sounded like they were not going to tolerate this naive, arrogant, know-nothing and his family and suspicious friends.
But like the rest of their party, they've pretty much lost all sense of whats right and moral in their absurd quest to undo all-things Obama, and/or either dismantle, outright ignore any other things that the majority of the electorate now supports. (60% pro legal pot, protect Roev.Wade, a more universal health care system, etc)
Theyre stuck in the past, having been so obsessed with being anti-Obama, they completely lost touch with where the majority of the population is heading. And McCain is stuck in the mud with them.
I used to really like him as a senator...not so much anymore. Of course the Palin debacle remains a big part of it...
But - best of luck Senator, and speedy recovery...hoping this medical event provides you an epiphany...as most of us out here would be pushed over backwards and down the stairs with this sort of medical issue.
But like the rest of their party, they've pretty much lost all sense of whats right and moral in their absurd quest to undo all-things Obama, and/or either dismantle, outright ignore any other things that the majority of the electorate now supports. (60% pro legal pot, protect Roev.Wade, a more universal health care system, etc)
Theyre stuck in the past, having been so obsessed with being anti-Obama, they completely lost touch with where the majority of the population is heading. And McCain is stuck in the mud with them.
I used to really like him as a senator...not so much anymore. Of course the Palin debacle remains a big part of it...
But - best of luck Senator, and speedy recovery...hoping this medical event provides you an epiphany...as most of us out here would be pushed over backwards and down the stairs with this sort of medical issue.
8
The gist of this article boils down to one thing: It's time our beloved Senator calls it a day and retires. It's over John.
4
The time for McCain to go has long since passed. He should retire and enjoy traveling among the many homes his beer-baroness spouse owns. McCain didn't know how many there were in '08 and there could be more now so this is a good time to catch up.
3
Wonder what his copay is and whether this was a pre-existing condition.
11
I wish the Senator the best but hope he takes his time recovering. The longer he takes the better the chance that millions of Americans will not lose their health insurance.
12
I share with many people, including I'm sure, those who are not American, in wishing Senator McCain a quick and successful recovery. At the same time I hope that this health crisis is a wake up call to him that's it's not good enough for him to sit on the sidelines while the health care of millions of less fortunate citizens hang in the balance, threatened by the callus republican leadership and their likewise members. It's past time for McCain to be the leader we all expected him to be.
3
Everyone wishes Senator McCain a full recovery and he is commended for his service to the nation. I only hope, as he is recovering, that he has the empathy for millions of Americans that the Senate Trumpcare bill will deny healthcare.
6
He's the man who brought us Sarah Palin
5
Let's hope he can afford the deductibles, and that all attending doctors were in-network. Let's also hope he doesn't exceed his lifetime coverage limit, or that his insurers consider the procedure "experimental", or are looking to drop him on a technicality, like Wellpoint did a decade ago to female policyholders who developed breast cancer. Let's hope the bills don't wildly exceed his expectations, and that he doesn't get harrassed by debt collectors working for the hospital, and he doesn't need to retain a billing specialist to argue down the amounts due.
The good news for him is that he's having this procedure at the right time: before the ACA repeal goes into effect and massively increases costs for more senior citizens.
The good news for him is that he's having this procedure at the right time: before the ACA repeal goes into effect and massively increases costs for more senior citizens.
7
Philip...McCain is one of the fortunate few who do not have to worry about ANY of the things you mention.
2
I do hope when the senator returns to cast his "yes" vote (as anticipated by McConnell), he considers whether all the treatment and care he received prior, during, and after his surgery would be affordable and available to those most direly affected by the senate's proposal. If not, his vote should be NO.
4
My sincerest hope is this will preclude him from any further service in the Senate!
3
I wish for Mr. McCain a full and speedy recovery. I hope though that he reflects upon the quality of care he has been so fortunate over the years to receive and likewise not vote for healthcare legislation that pushes millions away from medical coverage and that offers inferior quality health plans that do not provide sufficient protection for Arizonians and all Americans.
It's time for Mr. McCain to act as a statesman again.
It's time for Mr. McCain to act as a statesman again.
4
These people can't live forever- That's why there should be term limits for both Houses- Each get 2 terms then OUT! This also shows the only people who vote consistently in every election are people 45 YO and up- That's why so many geezers are in the House and Senate- Geezers re-elect the geezers. If young people would rally at the voting polls with the same enthusiasm they bring to a poetry slam or drum circle- may be we would have a younger- more progressive Democratic party. This has been the DNC's problem all along- They pander for the youth vote but fully aware the youth vote is historically unreliable and never shows up on election day. BERNIE was the first candidate since Bill Clinton to garner the younger vote- but the DNC stuck to outdated voting modules and went ALL IN for Hillary... Well everyone knows how that ended.
1
Aaron , disagree with you on all points , young people are free to vote at eighteen, but they're too busy with their devices and selfies to even care , and I remind you Bernie is an old geezer himself , perhaps you might consider his wife who is younger ? I forgot , she's under investigation for that college deal fiasco. And yes , we all know how the Hilary thing ended , courtesy of the russians , the media , GOP , and all the alt right sites on line , not to mention attitudes expressed here . So maybe geezers should not vote for an old geezer like Bernie .
5
We already have term limits. They're called elections. "Term limits" was wholly the idea of Republicans who, as the minority, didn't like seeing Democratic officeholders re-elected. If I want to vote for Dianne Feinstein, that's a right guaranteed to me by the Constitution.
If you're really that worried about representative government, go to work on gerrymandering.
If you're really that worried about representative government, go to work on gerrymandering.
7
We can hope and pray that the Senator has a speedy and successful recovery. There is one thing that is sad and disturbing in all this. I have, yet, to hear or read any comment from President Trump in reference to Senator McCain. You may recall that during the campaign he denigrated the Senator for being captured in Vietnam. Trump added he hates people who get captured alluding to McCain being a loser. His Brown Shirt crowd gobbled it up while most of the country reeled. If I've missed Trump's good wishes for the senator, I stand corrected on that point. If they are nowhere to be found, it's as disrespectful as one can get.
7
I am centrist to the nth, and have come to severely dislike both sides of the fence. But I do hope that Mr McCain pulls thru this alright, as of late he appears to be the only voice in D.C. that is calling what Trump does like it is: nonsensical lying. It is wonderful for him that Congress and it's employees are not sweating repeal of any of their health plans with the right wing's inane ones decided upon for the general public, as they are ironclad that they will NOT do without, but it is ok for the rest of us to go ahead and get sick and die. Mr McCain's Congressional insurance coverage will guarantee him of a cure, if there is one, even for a pre-existing condition, which he obviously has. The rest of us? Congress say's, "Drop dead."
1
All of you here, "commenters" Please share with me what would be your ideal solution to the failure of O care, and how it should be fixed
Please do not suggest single payer.
Have you ever heard of the V.A.?
Please do not suggest single payer.
Have you ever heard of the V.A.?
3
The Affordable Care Act is not failing anywhere that is actually making an effort to make the system work. So, the best reaction to any failure in local healthcare under the ACA would be to vote out the Republicans at the state level that are intentionally crippling the system, and the Republicans at the federal level that are trying to do the same.
If we want to improve on Obamacare, then single payer is the way to go, as every other advanced economy on earth has figured out.
If we want to improve on Obamacare, then single payer is the way to go, as every other advanced economy on earth has figured out.
2
The VA has problems but if we had one system you wouldn't have to have a VA system. Every one would be covered. The cost for the VA would be incorporated into the one system for everyone. If people wanted additional insurance they could buy additional policies from the Insurance companies.
3
RSMRY:
Don't knock it until you've tried it. I have private health insurance, yet am VA eligible and I CHOOSE the VA. I have never had anything other than top flight care and compassion. Single payer is the way to go -- I wish everybody could have access to outstanding medical care like that available at the VA.
Don't knock it until you've tried it. I have private health insurance, yet am VA eligible and I CHOOSE the VA. I have never had anything other than top flight care and compassion. Single payer is the way to go -- I wish everybody could have access to outstanding medical care like that available at the VA.
6
Here's a suggestion: how about the members of Congress (both House and Senate) are forced to swap their current health care plan with whatever they propose the rest of the country has to live with?
17
At age 80, there is no such thing as "minor surgery" let alone brain surgery.
7
Godspeed, Senator McCain. That is all.
Godspeed, John McCain.
One should not have to survive torture in a POW camp to have excellent support in a medical emergency.
And one who has access to excellent medical care should not vote to make sure millions of other won't have it.
What do we call a senior citizen so privileged and so hypocritical ? John McCain
And one who has access to excellent medical care should not vote to make sure millions of other won't have it.
What do we call a senior citizen so privileged and so hypocritical ? John McCain
6
First, may Senator McCain recuperate fully and quickly.
Second, is it really possible he would vote in favor of the killing GOP healthcare bill? A bill that takes away healthcare, pemanently by defunding Medicaid, from millions of young, old, poor, and middle class Americans?
If so, would there be any advantage to trying to work out win:win solutions to problems with Republican senators?
Second, is it really possible he would vote in favor of the killing GOP healthcare bill? A bill that takes away healthcare, pemanently by defunding Medicaid, from millions of young, old, poor, and middle class Americans?
If so, would there be any advantage to trying to work out win:win solutions to problems with Republican senators?
1
John McCain probably believes that the care he got at the Mayo Clinic is the same care that every American would receive. I don't think he sees beyond his core wealthy Arizona constituents and after all the ACA is an Obama plan. Hopefully, he will see some light from his recent medical experience and vote against the Republican so called health plan. Who can predict with this guy. Everyone knows McCain is a hero, but since the 2008 campaign he has come across as a nasty old man. He could not accept that Obama won. McCain blows with wind, he became more right wing when their was a primary challenge. He dropped his maverick title. McCain has never called Trump out for what he is, a blowhard, even when Trump insulted his military service. For all his talk he is just a going along Republican and no brain trust. After all he picked Sarah Palin as his running mate.
8
Until quite recently, I'd lived in Arizona for over four decades. I've read with extreme amusement the comments by many here, hoping that Sen. McCain will take the time during his recovery to reconsider his vote on the disastrous Republican "health care" bill.
For those who've made such comments, let me save you some time. This man is nothing more than a political hack. Always was. Always will be. Remember, this is the same "war hero" that was insulted by Trump, and still kisses Dear Leader's behind. There is more of a chance of a summer blizzard in Phoenix than there is of this man's changing his vote.
For those who've made such comments, let me save you some time. This man is nothing more than a political hack. Always was. Always will be. Remember, this is the same "war hero" that was insulted by Trump, and still kisses Dear Leader's behind. There is more of a chance of a summer blizzard in Phoenix than there is of this man's changing his vote.
9
Well fortunately Senator McCain has good health insurance--and he doesn't have to worry whether his clot was a pre-existing condition-- because he is most likely on Obamacare! When Obamacare was passed it included a requirement that members of Congress and their immediate staff switch from the Federal Employees Health Program (FEHB) to participation in the state Healthcare Exchange set up by the District of Columbia, just like other DC residents. The DC Exchange is an example of a good program under Obamacare-- a number of options and choices at reasonable rates, particularly for those eligible for the tax subsidy. Of course at their salary level members of Congress don't qualify for that subsidy but never mind-- taxpayers still kick in about 75% of the premium for them, same as under the FEHB. I wish Senator McCain well. I note he has expressed concern about all the people who would be losing insurance under the Republican plans. Lets hope he realizes the comprehensive care he is getting needs to be kept in place for everyone.
5
Senator McCain is my senator, a great one, and I wish him a speedy recovery. I also wish that someone would document his access to stellar medical care on the policy that members of Congress have; on the policy that he would have had to buy on the open market; on Arizona's ACCHS policy for those in need; and then - look at what would have happened to him had he not been able to afford insurance at all. I hope this experience convinces him that all Americans are entitled to the best in insurance coverage - and not the mean policy that the Senate is now debating.
5
Gee, maybe this is a good time for him to loose his health insurance.
6
I was able to get through brain surgery this past year due to Obamacare, due to a system put in place that was created thoughtfully and with great kindness, whose aim was to help Americans suffer less. Please Senator McCain and all others, please do not be led by those seeking to increase suffering and hardship on your fellow Americans in order to gain a buck and a "win". There is no gray area here - Trumpcare is mean spirited and wrong. Anyone with a backbone and a heart needs to vote against it.
124
Awesome post! Thank you for sharing your first hand account of a "success" story regarding Obamacare. I wish you continued good health and a complete and full recovery.
6
What's with all this outpouring of support? I like people who DON'T get sick. Illnesses are for low-energy losers.
7
Except,of course, when you desperately need their vote.
2
Delaying a vote that would remove health care from millions of people so that an significant "yes" vote senator can have brain surgery paid for by government supported health insurance is too much irony. Mr. McCain we wish you well and hope you can hear what the universe is trying to say to you.
12
Good for McCain that he is being treated so well. Maybe when he comes back he'll put up a bill forcing other members of congress, and their family members, to have the phony health care they are voting to inflict on the rest of America.
5
With all due respect senator, how much was your out of pocket expense?
10
Karma works in strange ways...
For the one GOP Senator known throughout his career as "the Maverick" to be so stricken and need the health care the bill he will be voting on shortly may deny so many millions could very well affect how he votes...
I wish him a full and quick recover as well as empathy for his fellow Americans that might find themselves in similar situations needing the health care he received as a covered individual.
For the one GOP Senator known throughout his career as "the Maverick" to be so stricken and need the health care the bill he will be voting on shortly may deny so many millions could very well affect how he votes...
I wish him a full and quick recover as well as empathy for his fellow Americans that might find themselves in similar situations needing the health care he received as a covered individual.
2
It would interesting to see a NYTimes article that breaks down what McCain's surgical procedure would cost for other Americans insured under Obamacare and the new Republican proposals.
16
Must be nice to have great healthcare.
7
What kind of health coverage does Senator McCain have for this expensive surgery and recovery? And why would he not want everyone to have such coverage?
4
I wish Mr. McCain the best, and I'm certain he has healthcare. So one senator is out and the business of governing comes to a halt? Also, there's no indication Senator McCain was supporting the bill anyway. This is just another delaying tactic by the Republican party which further proves they are incapable of governing. Mitch McConnell and The Republican party are a national and international disgrace, devoid of leadership qualities. Not a week goes by that approval ratings continue to decline, leaving the American people hanging over the political abyss. What a disaster.
4
Dear Senator McCain, I think that we all wish you a speedy recovery, Republicans and Democrats, alike. You have served our country well. While no one can ask an 80 years old to give more, I also have no doubt that the country needs you now more than ever.
1
No doubt about it, he should retire.
3
A wonderful collection of observations about the differences between the standard of health care for US Senators VS the contents of the AHCA bill in consideration, as well as good wishes for Senator McCain, which he certainly deserves.
Might it be better to write these excellent letters to Senator McCain's Senate website in addition to Comments in NYTimes of that he might read them as he recuperates?
Might it be better to write these excellent letters to Senator McCain's Senate website in addition to Comments in NYTimes of that he might read them as he recuperates?
2
My sympathies, I have experienced a subdural. However, the healthcare policies for the rest of the American people cannot be held hostage by the illness of one person. Please proceed with moving forward. Other people are having health crises, too.
2
Senator McCain: I'm rooting for your rapid recovery, aided by your complete absence of worry about paying for your miraculous surgery. I hope you take time to consider the thousands of others who would never have the opportunity for similar surgery if the Senate health care bill repealing Obama care passes. You received the best health care available, covered by your government health insurance (paid for by taxpayers), as do millions of others who will lose their insurance if the bill you support passes the Senate.
7
NYT and other news organizations need to stop referring to this as "surgery for a blood clot above his eye" and refer to it as the intracranial surgery that it was. Not referring to it accurately enables the propaganda (minimizing a potentially serious problem in an 80 year old).
11
"More serious than thought"? Who is doing the "thinking" here? It seems to me that nobody knows what anybody else "thought". What we know is that his spokespeople said something that knowledgeable people say underestimates his recovery time.
Maybe we should focus more on cloture than on clot. If the Senate Majority Leader cannot get quorum without one senator on medical leave, it says much more about the quality of the legislation at hand than the health of an individual.
16
I wish Mr. McCain a speedy recovery and hope his experience will remind him of the millions of elderly who currently get their healthcare thanks to Medicare and will lose coverage if McConnell's horrific bill goes through. Many elderly Americans would have to just live with a blood clot in their head and hope for the best without open-ended Medicare funding.
Let's not beat around the bush here; McConnell's bill is, first and foremost, a Medicare/Medicaid CUT intended to save the 1% a few bucks at the expense of the most vulnerable citizens: the elderly, the poor, and children. Quit calling it 'healthcare'. It's anything but.
Let's not beat around the bush here; McConnell's bill is, first and foremost, a Medicare/Medicaid CUT intended to save the 1% a few bucks at the expense of the most vulnerable citizens: the elderly, the poor, and children. Quit calling it 'healthcare'. It's anything but.
17
I wish the Senator well, but I'm reminded of when Hilary Clinton nearly passed out from the flu on the campaign trail and how people were questioning her health....and questioning her transparency regarding it.
It certainly seems like this is being intentionally downplayed.
And seems like a timely poster/ad for the need for universal healthcare.
It certainly seems like this is being intentionally downplayed.
And seems like a timely poster/ad for the need for universal healthcare.
17
Of course we should all wish Senator McCain a speedy recovery.
We might also be a bit cold and ask how much such an operation and treatment is costing -- and see what it would cost for someone without insurance, someone covered by Obamacare silver and bronze plans, and what an Emergency Room visit by a poor uninsured person with this condition would look like -- what would the hospital be covering without compensation and what kind of care would the person get. We can see here that health problems are not one of those hypotheticals that politicians and Supreme Court nominees don't like to answer. It is real. And let's stop talking about "the healthy" as if they are a different species. One is healthy only until one is sick, and we all die from something. So healthiness is a temporary condition, illness is inevitable.
We might also be a bit cold and ask how much such an operation and treatment is costing -- and see what it would cost for someone without insurance, someone covered by Obamacare silver and bronze plans, and what an Emergency Room visit by a poor uninsured person with this condition would look like -- what would the hospital be covering without compensation and what kind of care would the person get. We can see here that health problems are not one of those hypotheticals that politicians and Supreme Court nominees don't like to answer. It is real. And let's stop talking about "the healthy" as if they are a different species. One is healthy only until one is sick, and we all die from something. So healthiness is a temporary condition, illness is inevitable.
21
I share the hopes that McCain will pull through.
He has access to wonderful healthcare and the irony of course, as pointed out by so many commenters here, is that the vote to delete healthcare from so many Americans depends on his presence.
Wouldn't it be nice if a genuine healthcare solution could be found which would command the votes of not 51, or 60, or 67 but 95 senators, which was truly efficient, effective, universally available, and reasonably priced? Most of our G20 friends have such a system. And then poor Sen. McCain can have the recuperation time he needs.
He has access to wonderful healthcare and the irony of course, as pointed out by so many commenters here, is that the vote to delete healthcare from so many Americans depends on his presence.
Wouldn't it be nice if a genuine healthcare solution could be found which would command the votes of not 51, or 60, or 67 but 95 senators, which was truly efficient, effective, universally available, and reasonably priced? Most of our G20 friends have such a system. And then poor Sen. McCain can have the recuperation time he needs.
9
Thank god he's got great healthcare.
9
Had McCain run against any other democrat, other than Obama, and had he selected a better VP candidate, he would have been President. He quickly replaced Ted Kennedy as our elder statesman. And what I understand of him -- namely, that he is an extremely well-intentioned man interested in the welfare of not only the people of Arizona but also of all Americans -- I wouldn't put it past him to schedule his operation just at the time of the health care debate. Just to get back at the #socalledPresident for calling Senator McCain not a war hero. And if that is not the case, then God only knows whether God works in mysterious ways to preserve health care for millions of Americans ...
5
Doubtful. The Comey-hearings performance will have prompted someone near the Senator to say -- You should get yourself checked out. And that will have found the intracranial blood clot, with surgery as soon as feasible thereafter. Whether that clot, and damage to the adjacent brain, prompted the risible show in the hearings room... Open question. By the way, the elderly often don't recover all the way from an intracranial haemorrhage; their mentation may remain clouded. But if Roman Hruska could be a senator...
1
The initial press, or initial information, did not make any sense. If you are going to have a press announcement, why not just call it a subdural hematoma and not a several cm blood clot access directly behind the eye brow into the skull.
3
What a bizarre, if not outright fateful situation this is: a vote to ensure taking healthcare away from millions being deferred due to an illness of someone who matters enough to be cared for under our tax money. There are so many ironies in the situation, and so much of it speaks to the current state of America, that a novelist couldn't have come up with a better plot. First of all, delaying a vote till you can count yourself a winner is akin to stealing it. Secondly, if McCain, for whom I've had tremendous respect even when disagreeing with his positions, comes back from his world class care to vote yes on removing (lesser versions) for millions, we can be sure that whatever is left of American decency (not to mention, democracy) is gone.
20
I hope Senator McCain understand what it means to have a top healthcare assistance and support and votes no on Mcconel's healthcare bill that denies even the minimum healthcare to millions of Americans under the hateful Repeal of Obamacare
1
I hope so too.
1
My best wishes to John McCain.
That said, I wonder why this AM all the media reports said 'McCain had a blood clot removed from above his right eye'?
That was not just an understatement, it was a lie. The clear implication is that McCain had a clot of some kind removed above his eye, clearly inferring that it was a skin lesion of some kind.
Can someone trace the origin of this lie, and find out how it became the perceived truth on the major media? This is happening more and more with the media. Don't they fact check?
That said, I wonder why this AM all the media reports said 'McCain had a blood clot removed from above his right eye'?
That was not just an understatement, it was a lie. The clear implication is that McCain had a clot of some kind removed above his eye, clearly inferring that it was a skin lesion of some kind.
Can someone trace the origin of this lie, and find out how it became the perceived truth on the major media? This is happening more and more with the media. Don't they fact check?
5
Hillary Clinton redux. Of course he's healthy, no mental or physical issues, if he walks like a zombie that's just the wrong camera angle. Oh whoops, just had an emergency operation on his brain, nothing to see here, no problem, move along please. More tales of the rich and powerful and their non-stop lies.
3
I'm reminded of a hymn sung near the end of the movie, "The Color Purple" whose refrain may be applicable to Senator McCain's current health problem and the health insurance debate before us:
"Maybe God is trying to tell you something..."
Wishing you a speedy recovery, Senator.
Signed,
A concerned democrat
"Maybe God is trying to tell you something..."
Wishing you a speedy recovery, Senator.
Signed,
A concerned democrat
10
I wish Senator McCain a full and speedy recovery. I also hope that Mr. McCain will reflect while he is recovery on the effect a 'yes' vote on the TrumpDon'tCare bill will have on other Americans in need of health care and Medicaid, and then vote 'No'. Vote 'No' Mr. McCain and be a hero again.
13
How much will this surgery and its related follow up care cost Mr McCain in out of pocket ecpenses, I wonder....particularly compared to most of the rest of us?? REPUBLICANS should be comfortable in discussing this as they are such master's in the craft of Healthcare Legislation.
10
Senator McCain has the first rate health care many Americans are justifiably proud of and the Congress in its infinite wisdom is making sure its members keep as they exempt themselves from Trumpcare so as not to succumb to the fate of the millions who are not so fortunate- many of whom are tax paying citizens who pay their representative's premiums.
10
I just want to wish Senator McCain a pleasant recovery, and that he may return to Washington once he is well again and not before.
2
Does anyone else find this ironic that the health care vote is being delayed by someone's health care issue!? And in that line of thought, would love to see how a U.S. Senator's healthcare coverage stacks up against the average Joe's. Although somehow I doubt any of them are willing to make this connection...good luck for a speedy recovery.
7
In Canadian Parliament, when absence was necessary and close votes were nigh, Members of Parliament from the opposite side would pair off to nullify the absence and abstain from the vote.
Well then it's a good thing he has FREE healthcare, isn't it? Too bad that the minute he's released from the hospital he'll vote to strip millions of Americans of theirs.
13
McCain should retire. He is a bitter, virtually useless, curmudgeon who is still angry that he lost to the worst President in American history. He was never very smart. Complex issues confuse him. Now, he may actually have a condition that affects his competence in real terms. Say goodbye John. Soon!!
4
John McCain once said that he spent a lot of time pondering the meaning of life during his POW captivity. I hope he spends some similar thinking time about his situation now, and I hope he deeply ponders its meaning. The GOP awaits his vote to end healthcare for millions of Americans. I hope he sees the irony. I hope he has not forgotten the viciousness of withheld healthcare.
10
A few (very few) commenters have just wished McCain a speedy and full recovery, and then ended their comments.
That is probably what all of us commenters should have done but -- let's face it -- most of us haven't (I included).
Some commenters, for example, have said essentially this:
"I wish John McCain a full and speedy recovery, but I hope he doesn't forget that we're all paying for his medical treatment at the same time he's trying to take that away from millions of others."
On the opposite end of the spectrum, some commenters, for example, have said essentially this:
"I wish John McCain a full and speedy recovery, and we shouldn't forget that he was a war hero."
John McCain was NOT a war hero -- either because he was captured or because he turned down preferential treatment that wasn't offered to other US prisoners because they (unlike McCain) did not have a famous father. Nor is McCain a hypocrite to accept medical care for a blot clot above his left eye (or whatever it is he's being treated for) at taxpayer expense just because he might have voted for a bill that might deny taxpayer funding of medical care to others. He's just a guy who's receiving medical care for a blot clot above his left eye (or whatever it is he's being treated for), and we (I included) shouldn't be using this occasion to make political points.
Nor, however, should most of us pretend that that's not what exactly what we're doing.
That is probably what all of us commenters should have done but -- let's face it -- most of us haven't (I included).
Some commenters, for example, have said essentially this:
"I wish John McCain a full and speedy recovery, but I hope he doesn't forget that we're all paying for his medical treatment at the same time he's trying to take that away from millions of others."
On the opposite end of the spectrum, some commenters, for example, have said essentially this:
"I wish John McCain a full and speedy recovery, and we shouldn't forget that he was a war hero."
John McCain was NOT a war hero -- either because he was captured or because he turned down preferential treatment that wasn't offered to other US prisoners because they (unlike McCain) did not have a famous father. Nor is McCain a hypocrite to accept medical care for a blot clot above his left eye (or whatever it is he's being treated for) at taxpayer expense just because he might have voted for a bill that might deny taxpayer funding of medical care to others. He's just a guy who's receiving medical care for a blot clot above his left eye (or whatever it is he's being treated for), and we (I included) shouldn't be using this occasion to make political points.
Nor, however, should most of us pretend that that's not what exactly what we're doing.
Must be nice for Johnny to have good health care like all the other American politicians. If he were like a good many other 'normal' folks, or a huge number of other people after the Senate bill passes, life would become a lot different. He would then have 3 basic choices. 1 - get a loan to pay the medical bills that would be so big that it will take you the rest of your life to pay it off and destroy your future. 2 - go blind, or 3 - roll over and die.
7
Goodness. I sincerely wish Senator McCain a comfortable and smooth recovery following this procedure.
That being said, I hope he takes his time to recover fully and does not rush back to Washington before he should just so he can vote on this train wreck of a healthcare bill. I also hope this experience will enable him to be a voice for others struggling with their health or worried about the health of their loved ones during this moment when healthcare availability is teetering on the edge of a precarious abyss. Most of the Republican members of Congress don't seem to care about the average American. Senator McCain, I hope that, whenever you return to Washington, you show your colleagues that you do care.
That being said, I hope he takes his time to recover fully and does not rush back to Washington before he should just so he can vote on this train wreck of a healthcare bill. I also hope this experience will enable him to be a voice for others struggling with their health or worried about the health of their loved ones during this moment when healthcare availability is teetering on the edge of a precarious abyss. Most of the Republican members of Congress don't seem to care about the average American. Senator McCain, I hope that, whenever you return to Washington, you show your colleagues that you do care.
7
Senator McCain is one of the few Republican Senators who is willing and able to challenge Trump. He has also been an independent thinker within his party for years. My best thoughts go out to him.
1
I hope this experience will wake up Mr. McCain within an epiphany to the plight of millions of Americans who have no healthcare insurance.
3
I bet he's glad he has health insurance (paid by American citizens).
7
Get well soon Senator. You are one of the best of us, and we need you.
Senator McCain,
It is rare that I agree with you about anything, but I wish you the best with your health condition.
I can only hope that this was not in any way related to the five and a half years that you spent as as POW, in service to this country.
I have very deep reservations about the Republican health care plan, but out of respect for you, rather than use this comment thread concerning your potentially very serious health concern to express my rage, I'm going to use one of the other articles about this topic on this website to do so.
Signed,
A Compassionate, Educated, Civil Adult Human Being With No Anger Management Issues
It is rare that I agree with you about anything, but I wish you the best with your health condition.
I can only hope that this was not in any way related to the five and a half years that you spent as as POW, in service to this country.
I have very deep reservations about the Republican health care plan, but out of respect for you, rather than use this comment thread concerning your potentially very serious health concern to express my rage, I'm going to use one of the other articles about this topic on this website to do so.
Signed,
A Compassionate, Educated, Civil Adult Human Being With No Anger Management Issues
If only the rest of the US could opt into the nice health insurance that Congress enjoys.
7
My first thought when I saw the headline, even before I read the article earlier this morning, was that McCain should thank his lucky stars that he has excellent medical coverage (and sick benefits) that others do not. In my dreams, I'm hoping this realization will result on his "no" vote on the Republican "health care" bill.
6
I hope he can bounce back from this. Jimmy Carter survived metastases to the brain, thanks to immunotherapy—and is still building houses at 92. May McCain’s recovery (and God’s grace) make him take stock of the fact that he still has time to start doing and saying the right—not the right-wing—thing.
4
I think it well could be that the hematoma directly or indirectly accounts for his cognitive malfunctions at the Comey hearing.
2
How can McCain get the best health care the taxpayer provides and then vote again basic health care for these same people?
8
I am paying for his medical care and I don't begrudge him a penny of it. Why is he determined to let the rest of us die or go bankrupt if the same illness happens to us?
This is the difference between Republicans and everyone else.
This is the difference between Republicans and everyone else.
7
Can NYTimes please publish some analysis as to how many people will lose the ability to have a surgery (and recovery support) like the one that Senator McCain is going through under the proposed healthcare bill (as compared to under ACA)?
6
I often disagree with Sen. McCain, but I consider him a serious senator and wish him a speedy recovery from his surgery. While he is recovering at home, I hope that he is considering the treatment he received and comparing it to the treatment many in the U.S. receive in similar situations. He received every possible diagnostic procedure and possible elective surgery after a regular annual checkup, all at little or no out of pocket cost to him. Most people, certainly those with little or no medical insurance would not get such treatment, and probably would not even have gone for a regular annual checkup, because of the expense that they could not afford. Consider that before you vote on the Senate health-care bill.
6
Senator McCain, as if you need a reminder: affordable, high quality healthcare matters. I wish you a smooth recovery. And I hope that on your return to Washington you will not vote to take health insurance away from millions of vulnerable Americans .
8
McCain will have a job when he recovers. McCain was able to have this surgery because he has excellent insurance. He will not be forced into bankruptcy, have his claims lost or denied, be told that a medication he needs is too expensive, and if he needs any rehabilitation services they will be covered. He will be able to concentrate on recovering. Contrast that with what the average American goes through for almost all but the simplest illnesses.
We aren't guaranteed sick time or a job if we have to take medical leave. If we're on leave we don't get our salaries. We still have to pay the premiums which are expensive whether we're working or not. We will receive multiple bills with demands to pay immediately or else. Claims will be lost, denied, sent to credit agencies, resubmitted and lost or denied again. We will have to coordinate our care, watch to see that we get the right medicine, stay in a narrow network, worry about the cost, and somehow recover. Then, when we return to our job, we may be fired because we're no longer needed or the employer found someone cheaper. If we need rehab or in home care it may or may not be covered for as long as we need it.
Our elected officials are treated like royalty. We're treated like dirt and castigated for everything we do when it comes to medical care. If our elected officials cannot give us a plan as good as theirs they should not be voting for it. And I hope that McCain and Scalise are sent their medical bills.
We aren't guaranteed sick time or a job if we have to take medical leave. If we're on leave we don't get our salaries. We still have to pay the premiums which are expensive whether we're working or not. We will receive multiple bills with demands to pay immediately or else. Claims will be lost, denied, sent to credit agencies, resubmitted and lost or denied again. We will have to coordinate our care, watch to see that we get the right medicine, stay in a narrow network, worry about the cost, and somehow recover. Then, when we return to our job, we may be fired because we're no longer needed or the employer found someone cheaper. If we need rehab or in home care it may or may not be covered for as long as we need it.
Our elected officials are treated like royalty. We're treated like dirt and castigated for everything we do when it comes to medical care. If our elected officials cannot give us a plan as good as theirs they should not be voting for it. And I hope that McCain and Scalise are sent their medical bills.
11
Couple thoughts: First, who is paying for his health care? That's right, we are. The taxpayers. Second, tell me what private sector industries would employ, let alone insure an 80-year-old? These politicians stay far too long in their roles. My feeling is, if McCain and all other politicians in Washington get this type of care, why can't we, the taxpayers get it? Why can't we all work if we want to until we're 80+? Why can't we all expect great health care that won't break our bank accounts? When are Americans going to stand up for themselves?
14
A great example of the excellent health care that all Americans should have access to without worrying about their family's financial situation. Good health care should not be something that Americans should have to worry about affording, it should simply be. Maybe a few less aircraft carriers or fighter plan systems would do the trick.
11
There should be age limits on all elected positions. Doing so would not be age discrimination, but a kindness to all citizens and the aged themselves.
People like senator McCain should retire to enjoy the fruits of their careers while focusing on their health. Leave the world to be governed by those who are increasingly responsible for dealing with the problems of the day.
People like senator McCain should retire to enjoy the fruits of their careers while focusing on their health. Leave the world to be governed by those who are increasingly responsible for dealing with the problems of the day.
4
No -- let voters decide.
3
And if the health insurance that Americans have obtained from the ACA is repealed, how many will suffer because they will not get the operations or medical care they need in time?
The CBO estimated 20+ million.
Why delay the vote? The correct answer is obvious.
The CBO estimated 20+ million.
Why delay the vote? The correct answer is obvious.
8
McCain is a spring chicken compared to some of his fellow Senators. Many of us Californians were surprised, for example, when Senator Dianne Feinstein ran for re-election in 2012, and "surprised" understates our reaction to reports that she might run yet again in 2018. If she does, and wins and serves out her term, she'll be 91 years old! Not 80, nor 75, nor 70 -- but 91!
Some 91-year olds are sharp as a tack. But most are not. Would you describe Dianne Feinstein (who's now a mere 84 years old) as "sharp as a tack?" How about John McCain, who's only 80 -- "sharp as a tack?"
Nevertheless, age limits aren't in the cards, especially when many who vote on such proposals will be forced to retire if the proposal passes.
Some 91-year olds are sharp as a tack. But most are not. Would you describe Dianne Feinstein (who's now a mere 84 years old) as "sharp as a tack?" How about John McCain, who's only 80 -- "sharp as a tack?"
Nevertheless, age limits aren't in the cards, especially when many who vote on such proposals will be forced to retire if the proposal passes.
4
Obviously this guy is a warrior, in combat and in Congress.
Has the best health care, doctors, home care, etc., etc.
His age, yes, of course a factor on recovery.
I wish him a full recovery, and a return when he is safely ready. Which I think will be sooner rather than later. (Recalling Jason Chaffetz recently rushing back from foot surgery, on a scooter, to make the House vote.)
Like hundreds of other posters on this piece, I also hope part of Sen. McCain's recuperation is spent considering this 'unexpected' condition popping up -- and now added to a long list of his pre-existing ones -- and how that would affect a more 'average' American, and their ability to quickly treat, recuperate appropriately and be able to afford the whole deal under new health care proposal(s).
Has the best health care, doctors, home care, etc., etc.
His age, yes, of course a factor on recovery.
I wish him a full recovery, and a return when he is safely ready. Which I think will be sooner rather than later. (Recalling Jason Chaffetz recently rushing back from foot surgery, on a scooter, to make the House vote.)
Like hundreds of other posters on this piece, I also hope part of Sen. McCain's recuperation is spent considering this 'unexpected' condition popping up -- and now added to a long list of his pre-existing ones -- and how that would affect a more 'average' American, and their ability to quickly treat, recuperate appropriately and be able to afford the whole deal under new health care proposal(s).
7
Given his age and ailments, it is time that he paid attention to his conscience and his legacy and voted against his party and for the people.
10
Not to excessively savor the poetic justice, but the piquant irony of this episode might turn out to be that be that John McCain's apparently serious health issue provides the rationale for Mitch McConnell to postpone repealing Obamacare until the Arizona Senator's health care costs become insurmountable, so that he might benefit from Obamacare coverage before stripping the rest of America from its benefits.
5
John McCain is worth at least $20M. His health care costs will not be insurmountable to him.
At least McCain was able to afford his health care. ObamaCare has such high deductibles that you or I would have to wait several month to build up the money needed to pay the bills. Either that or go in debt just to have life-saving surgery.
3
Best wishes to Sen. McCain for a full and speedy recovery. I hope he uses some of his downtime to reflect on what will happen to others who need similar care if the Senate's heath insurance bill becomes law, especially those who don't have McCain's financial resources.
5
Wow - treatment at Mayo Clinic (one of the best medical care facilities in the country, and perhaps the world) for this individual's health condition, which seems to be related to a pre-existing condition.
Thank goodness the man has health insurance, and not only that, apparently health insurance that will cover his treatments at Mayo. Or, if his health insurance does not provide complete coverage, the man possesses the ability to pay for his treatments out of his own pocket.
I wonder - is this health care coverage through the VA? I'm familiar with many military vets who do not have access to such high quality of care.
Thank goodness the man has health insurance, and not only that, apparently health insurance that will cover his treatments at Mayo. Or, if his health insurance does not provide complete coverage, the man possesses the ability to pay for his treatments out of his own pocket.
I wonder - is this health care coverage through the VA? I'm familiar with many military vets who do not have access to such high quality of care.
12
I have nothing in common with this man politically but I do have a profound respect for his personal integrity. Godspeed in your healing John McCain.
5
I sincerely hope that Senator McCain gets better without delay. Since the reason this article exists at all is political and has nothing to do with our shared humanity, I'm going to skip the usual sentimental pablum. It's sad when people are in pain. Moving on....
Although I oppose the horrid health care bill before the Senate and expect Senator McCain to vote in favor of it, I consider John McCain one of the few rays of hope that the GOP might soon acknowledge the gravity of the Russian interference in our electoral process. Senator McCain has publicly called Vladimir Putin a murderer and an enemy of the United States.
The Russia investigation and Trump's conflicts of interest, financial and otherwise, are the paramount issues facing our country right now. Everything else is secondary. John McCain is one of only a handful of elected Republicans who show some willingness and courage to lead his party colleagues in the right direction. We Democrats may not be fond of McCain's overall politics, but we desperately need his leadership on the Russia issue.
I'm not too concerned with the health care bill, frankly. If it passes, it will be a stunning act of political suicide by Republicans and only accelerate their defeat in the coming elections. Enacting a law that devastates the lives of millions of your own constituents has never been a wise long-term political strategy.
Although I oppose the horrid health care bill before the Senate and expect Senator McCain to vote in favor of it, I consider John McCain one of the few rays of hope that the GOP might soon acknowledge the gravity of the Russian interference in our electoral process. Senator McCain has publicly called Vladimir Putin a murderer and an enemy of the United States.
The Russia investigation and Trump's conflicts of interest, financial and otherwise, are the paramount issues facing our country right now. Everything else is secondary. John McCain is one of only a handful of elected Republicans who show some willingness and courage to lead his party colleagues in the right direction. We Democrats may not be fond of McCain's overall politics, but we desperately need his leadership on the Russia issue.
I'm not too concerned with the health care bill, frankly. If it passes, it will be a stunning act of political suicide by Republicans and only accelerate their defeat in the coming elections. Enacting a law that devastates the lives of millions of your own constituents has never been a wise long-term political strategy.
40
Why do you consider McCain to be a ray of hope? He voted in favor of DeVos, Price, Acosta, and Sessions. He voted to strip Internet privacy rights. He voted to end anti-pollution measures for streams and rivers. He voted AGAINST an amendment that would prohibit the transfer of firearms to suspected terrorists.
Where's the ray of hope in any of this? Where's his willingness to "lead his party in the right direction?" Answers: there is none, and it's not there. Actions speak louder than words, and McCain's actions speak volumes about his intentions.
Where's the ray of hope in any of this? Where's his willingness to "lead his party in the right direction?" Answers: there is none, and it's not there. Actions speak louder than words, and McCain's actions speak volumes about his intentions.
8
I wish Sen. McCain a speedy recovery. However, his vote on the health care monstrosity, ironic as many have pointed out, is dangerous. General anesthesia doesn't leave the brains of elderly people in top-notch condition. It can take longer to recover from the anesthesia than from the surgery. McCain may be voting on a bill that can kill some of his fellow Americans before he returns to functioning with a full deck.
4
It is time for McCain to retire! Maybe after he votes
to repeal Obama Care? I know he wouldn't miss this great historical event. Mr. McCain, your despicable action to take away the healthcare from millions of Americans will haunt you for the rest of your life. Nonetheless, I wish you a speedy recovery after your recent surgery. I know that you will be provided with the best of care.
to repeal Obama Care? I know he wouldn't miss this great historical event. Mr. McCain, your despicable action to take away the healthcare from millions of Americans will haunt you for the rest of your life. Nonetheless, I wish you a speedy recovery after your recent surgery. I know that you will be provided with the best of care.
8
He will not be back. The guy is almost 81 and has had invasive melanoma on his head four times starting over a decade ago. The odds that the cancer has not spread to his already-81-year-old brain are not in his favor. Foolish are those who believe many, if any, on either side of the political aisle put the needs of the majority of citizens first. They are all bought and very well paid for, and idiots keep electing them, and allow them to make the rules regarding term limits, so good luck with that.
11
Our family wishes Senator McCain full recovery, and admires him for his statements against Trump and the latter's political apparatus in recent months. We also lament that the Senator just keeps on voting to support Trump, when push comes to shove - the only thing that counts.
Senator McCain's medical situation is complex and serious, and he is incredibly fortunate to have health insurance.
To Senator McCain:
Why, why, why, would you vote against health insurance for others?
Senator McCain's medical situation is complex and serious, and he is incredibly fortunate to have health insurance.
To Senator McCain:
Why, why, why, would you vote against health insurance for others?
14
I wonder what McCain's co-pay and deductible will be.
11
With his plan, probably none.
4
Congress is covered by the ACA (Obamacare). They have exempted themselves from their horror repeal/replace preferring to keep their insurance that acutely pays for healthcare — the ACA.
1
Most comments here are critical of the supposedly free-for-life superior health benefits provided to Congressional members. That is a legend; it has not been true for at least decades. In actuality, the health insurance available to them is available to all from DC Health Links, colloquially known as DC Shop, and the premiums are covered at 75% by their employer -- Congress. In my working lifetime -- I am now retired -- my employers almost always paid most if not 100% of my health care premiums,
Read further at https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R43194.pdf and https://dchealthlink.com/
Read further at https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R43194.pdf and https://dchealthlink.com/
3
Let's pause for a moment to reflect on the irony here.
10
Yup, best healthcare in the world for our elected officials, the Mayo Clinic no less. And for the rest of us serfs??? Well we do get to foot the bill for the esteemed senator from Arizona. Lucky us.
6
I had a craniotomy last year to remove a cancerous brain tumor in my frontal lobe. My husband is a solo lawyer; we have individual insurance through Obamacare. We pay almost $23K out of pocket per year (way high), but my surgery alone was 105K . Thank God for Obamacare and excellent insurance when we needed it. The doctors say my cancer will come back - I have a preexisting condition now. My cancer has taught me what compassion and caring really mean. My hope is that Senator McCain will fully recover and experience something similar, and will be able to impart it to other Members of Congress. I need continued, affordable insurance even though no one in my family works for a big company or the government. I fear my cancer far less than I do Congress right now. Please, hear me. Hear all of us.
318
I'll echo your fears.
I am also on ACA coverage as a freelancer, and I was extremely happy to have even my high-deductible insurance when I was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago. Yes, the system is imperfect, but the imperfections should be fixed, rather than destroying the entire system. Surely anyone would rather have $10k in debt from deductibles than the nearly half million charge I would have had on my back had I not been insured.
Anyone who has sat in an oncologist's waiting room realizes how incredibly common cancer has become. Those who say that they "don't need" insurance and shouldn't have to pay for others' bad decisions don't realize how likely it is that they or a family member will eventually need cancer treatment, even if they live an incredibly healthy lifestyle.
We desperately need the safety net of ACA, with the safeguards it provides ALL Americans, even those who rely on group insurance from their employers. You never know when a tumor might appear.
I am also on ACA coverage as a freelancer, and I was extremely happy to have even my high-deductible insurance when I was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago. Yes, the system is imperfect, but the imperfections should be fixed, rather than destroying the entire system. Surely anyone would rather have $10k in debt from deductibles than the nearly half million charge I would have had on my back had I not been insured.
Anyone who has sat in an oncologist's waiting room realizes how incredibly common cancer has become. Those who say that they "don't need" insurance and shouldn't have to pay for others' bad decisions don't realize how likely it is that they or a family member will eventually need cancer treatment, even if they live an incredibly healthy lifestyle.
We desperately need the safety net of ACA, with the safeguards it provides ALL Americans, even those who rely on group insurance from their employers. You never know when a tumor might appear.
7
I hear you and wouldn't wish what happened to you on anyone. But this man has now had either 3 or 4 previous melanomas on the left side of his face, including one invasive melanoma of his left temple---just next to the eyebrow.
It seems to me as a physician (and a melanoma survivor---I hope) that the odds are STAGGERINGLY high that this is not just a simple subdural hematoma that just HAPPENED to occur in this unusual location.
If so, he will have a much more complicated recovery, despite the fact that as a Senator he has the finest taxpayer subsidized healthcare that (your) money can buy.
Let's hope he has the honesty and the mental wherewithal to realize that what McConnell hopes he will vote on for others less well situated is going to cause endless suffering and death.
Sometimes facing mortality can do wonders for one's perspective.
It seems to me as a physician (and a melanoma survivor---I hope) that the odds are STAGGERINGLY high that this is not just a simple subdural hematoma that just HAPPENED to occur in this unusual location.
If so, he will have a much more complicated recovery, despite the fact that as a Senator he has the finest taxpayer subsidized healthcare that (your) money can buy.
Let's hope he has the honesty and the mental wherewithal to realize that what McConnell hopes he will vote on for others less well situated is going to cause endless suffering and death.
Sometimes facing mortality can do wonders for one's perspective.
I am reminded that Senator Ted Kennedy, who was very much in favor of health care for all Americans, passed away on August 25, 2009 as a consequence of brain cancer. His death, and the subsequent election of Scott Brown was the reason why the Democrats had to pass ObamaCare using reconcilliation, because they lost their 60th Senate seat and could not overcome a Republican filibuster.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/04/scott-brown-ill-be-the-41_n_450...
Quote:
“I’ll be the 41st vote, not the 60th vote,” Brown said at a brief press conference following his oath of office Thursday night. Of course, that includes his vote on health care reform, which Brown promised during his campaign he would kill.
End Quote
I have no idea how serious Senator McCain's medical issue is, and I do not wish him ill. He was just reelcted in 2016 for his sixth term in the Senate.
However, if for any reason he is unable to continue in office, there would be a temporary appointment to fill his seat, and there would have to be an election to elect someone to complete his term of office.
With the future of ObamaCare in the balance, that would be quite a coincidence.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/04/scott-brown-ill-be-the-41_n_450...
Quote:
“I’ll be the 41st vote, not the 60th vote,” Brown said at a brief press conference following his oath of office Thursday night. Of course, that includes his vote on health care reform, which Brown promised during his campaign he would kill.
End Quote
I have no idea how serious Senator McCain's medical issue is, and I do not wish him ill. He was just reelcted in 2016 for his sixth term in the Senate.
However, if for any reason he is unable to continue in office, there would be a temporary appointment to fill his seat, and there would have to be an election to elect someone to complete his term of office.
With the future of ObamaCare in the balance, that would be quite a coincidence.
4
Except Democrats didn't use reconciliation to pass Obamacare. But they were forced to removed the public option in order to get the 60th vote: Joe Lieberman and Independent Senator of Conn.
Treei:
read the recrd:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patient_Protection_and_Affordable_Care_Act...
As per the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, reconciliation cannot be subject to a filibuster. But reconciliation is limited to budget changes, which is why the procedure was not used to pass ACA in the first place; the bill had inherently non-budgetary regulations. Although the already-passed Senate bill could not have been passed by reconciliation, most of House Democrats' demands were budgetary: "these changes—higher subsidy levels, different kinds of taxes to pay for them, nixing the Nebraska Medicaid deal—mainly involve taxes and spending. In other words, they're exactly the kinds of policies that are well-suited for reconciliation."
The remaining obstacle was a pivotal group of pro-life Democrats led by Bart Stupak who were initially reluctant to support the bill.
... The House passed the Senate bill with a 219–212 vote on March 21, 2010 ... The next day, Republicans introduced legislation to repeal the bill. Obama signed ACA into law on March 23, 2010. ... The amendment bill, The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, cleared the House on March 21; the Senate passed it by reconciliation on March 25, and Obama signed it on March 30.
So in fact the ACA needed reconcilliation to become law.
read the recrd:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patient_Protection_and_Affordable_Care_Act...
As per the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, reconciliation cannot be subject to a filibuster. But reconciliation is limited to budget changes, which is why the procedure was not used to pass ACA in the first place; the bill had inherently non-budgetary regulations. Although the already-passed Senate bill could not have been passed by reconciliation, most of House Democrats' demands were budgetary: "these changes—higher subsidy levels, different kinds of taxes to pay for them, nixing the Nebraska Medicaid deal—mainly involve taxes and spending. In other words, they're exactly the kinds of policies that are well-suited for reconciliation."
The remaining obstacle was a pivotal group of pro-life Democrats led by Bart Stupak who were initially reluctant to support the bill.
... The House passed the Senate bill with a 219–212 vote on March 21, 2010 ... The next day, Republicans introduced legislation to repeal the bill. Obama signed ACA into law on March 23, 2010. ... The amendment bill, The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, cleared the House on March 21; the Senate passed it by reconciliation on March 25, and Obama signed it on March 30.
So in fact the ACA needed reconcilliation to become law.
I don't want to kick a man when he's down, but didn't McCain unleash Sarah Palin and her idiocy into the body politic. He totally normalized her and he still backs her up 100%.
9
I wish McCain a quick recovery. I hope he ponders the fact that the out come of health care for millions of Americans is in his hands. How would he like to have to be home now wondering if he is going to lose his home to pay for his operation.
4
I wonder if there is anyone in the country who has had a similar kind of blood clot over the eye -- and whether that person had the right kind of health insurance that enabled him or her to get good treatment? Possible story there for an enterprising reporter...
3
I'm so glad so many people saw him in the committee meeting and told his family/staff to get him to the hospital QUICKLY! Get well soon and vote NO please.
2
Sen McCain although a great American and undeniably a hero and Patriot by any measure should retire. Even Churchill retired at 80 years-old. Its time for youth, ideas and energy. He can still provide guidance and counsel and share his wisdom as he should - but my God, where is the sense in an eighty year-old trying to sort out something as important as whether or not an adversary of the USA tried to corrupt our democratic process? This just seems insane to me. We have lost all semblance of reasonableness in this Country. Get well John.
43
As an 85 year old, I can tell you from experience that nothing automatically happens on your eightieth birthday that takes away your capacity to think about a problem, listen to the arguments on all sides, make a decision, and vote.
1
Youth like Ted Cruz or Paul Ryan?
Ah the irony, a senator's heath crisis creates a problem for Republican health care votes.
5
I wish Senator MCain a speedy, complete, uneventful recovery. That said, would the vote have been delayed if, say, Senator Schumer, a Democrat, and a definite "nay" vote, was out sick? I doubt it.
3
Surprised to see so many comments criticising a genuine war hero who spent six years being tortured as a prisoner of war and just had major surgery for his views on healthcare
There is an appropriate time and place to criticise a politician for their stances on issues and this isn't one of them.
There is an appropriate time and place to criticise a politician for their stances on issues and this isn't one of them.
3
A genuine "war hero" who was only allowed to continue naval flight training after damaging/destroying four aircraft because his father was a high ranking naval officer. Some reports indicate that he failed to take standard evasive action in the face of the attacking enemy missile, leading to his shoot-down.
In captivity he probably received less abuse because of his "connection" than many others similarly interned & was less likely to have been executed.
In captivity he probably received less abuse because of his "connection" than many others similarly interned & was less likely to have been executed.
1
If not now.......when?
This is a reasonable crossroad.
This is a reasonable crossroad.
2
i truly wish him a speedy recovery,
i wish it to all who have a serious illness or health problem.
so happy for him he has a top notch insurance policy
maybe he could wish the same for the rest of the country
i wish it to all who have a serious illness or health problem.
so happy for him he has a top notch insurance policy
maybe he could wish the same for the rest of the country
8
simple question: why shouldn't all Americans have access to the kind of healthcare Senator McCain has?
6
I guarantee John McCain will still be the Arizona Senator long after Tom Brady retires from Professional football!!!!
Mr.McCain is good open minded senator who thinks and acts beyond party level. He considers the country's interest and what is good for the citizens first than most of the other senators. I wish him quick recovery. May God bless him.
2
I was working on the Hill when he was a freshman Congressman in the early '80s and he hasn't lost much. And much of what he's lost - an extreme ego too often prone to pettiness - diminished him in his earlier years. He's wiser.
I have no issue with age when it brings wisdom as it often does. When it brings inflexibility, as it can, I would take issue with it except that mental dexterity - or the lack of it - is a feature of people regardless of age.
More to the point, Senators' age is only an issue when their health or abilities begin to fail them. The word, age, in Latin (senectus), is in the title itself. And there are good reasons for leadership institutions to value age. So why is it nearly impossible for anyone half Senator's age to get a job at Google?
I have no issue with age when it brings wisdom as it often does. When it brings inflexibility, as it can, I would take issue with it except that mental dexterity - or the lack of it - is a feature of people regardless of age.
More to the point, Senators' age is only an issue when their health or abilities begin to fail them. The word, age, in Latin (senectus), is in the title itself. And there are good reasons for leadership institutions to value age. So why is it nearly impossible for anyone half Senator's age to get a job at Google?
1
McCain is receiving state of the art medical treatment with insurance paid for by tax payers. Wouldn't it be great if Mr. McCain realized how beneficial it would be for the American people to have similar health care?
12
At least two commenters have made these complaints:
1. Is this really the occasion to be discussing whether John McCain was a "war hero?"
2. Wasn't John McCain a "war hero" to refuse North Vietnam's reported offer to release him (because his father was a top US military official) because North Vietnam didn't also offer to release other US prisoners?
Answers:
1. This wouldn't be the occasion to consider whether McCain was a "war hero" if those very commenters (and many others) hadn't used this occasion to insist that he was. I merely responded. One is not a "war hero" just because one gets captured -- even if one is mistreated by his captors. Nothing McCain did before being captured remotely approached being a "war hero" -- indeed, he was reportedly close to being disciplined for having engaged in irresponsible and dangerous behavior as a US fighter pilot.
2. I recall well the reported North Vietnamese offer to release McCain because of his famous father, while not releasing other US prisoners (who, presumably, did NOT have famous fathers). I also remember thinking it would have been all but incredibly irresponsible for McCain to have accepted that offer. I wouldn't have, but wouldn't consider myself a "hero" for having turned down preferential treatment offered to me only because of an accident of birth. I seriously doubt most Americans would have accepted that offer either, and I doubt those who turned it down would consider themselves "heroes" for having done so.
1. Is this really the occasion to be discussing whether John McCain was a "war hero?"
2. Wasn't John McCain a "war hero" to refuse North Vietnam's reported offer to release him (because his father was a top US military official) because North Vietnam didn't also offer to release other US prisoners?
Answers:
1. This wouldn't be the occasion to consider whether McCain was a "war hero" if those very commenters (and many others) hadn't used this occasion to insist that he was. I merely responded. One is not a "war hero" just because one gets captured -- even if one is mistreated by his captors. Nothing McCain did before being captured remotely approached being a "war hero" -- indeed, he was reportedly close to being disciplined for having engaged in irresponsible and dangerous behavior as a US fighter pilot.
2. I recall well the reported North Vietnamese offer to release McCain because of his famous father, while not releasing other US prisoners (who, presumably, did NOT have famous fathers). I also remember thinking it would have been all but incredibly irresponsible for McCain to have accepted that offer. I wouldn't have, but wouldn't consider myself a "hero" for having turned down preferential treatment offered to me only because of an accident of birth. I seriously doubt most Americans would have accepted that offer either, and I doubt those who turned it down would consider themselves "heroes" for having done so.
7
You wouldn't have accepted? Keyboard heroism to be admired...
2
Wishing McCain a full recovery. As a young man, he demonstrated character when he refused special favors and early release from his North Vietnamese captors in return for lending his name (which at that time meant something on account of the high military rank of his father) to their cause. I pray that he fully recovers and once again demonstrates the same character by standing up to the GOP propaganda machine with its oligarch-centered agenda on everything from climate change to health care to fiscal policy.
3
Along with nearly all Democrats/liberals/progressives, I want to wish Sen. McCain a speedy recovery. For many years, I have watched and heard him move back and forth from the middle to the far-right, depending on the issues at hand.
I also hope this medical experience will allow him time to really think things over on the value of healthcare for all Americans. Yes, I believe access to the highest quality healthcare should be a right, not a privilege. Perhaps McCain will see the light on that philosophy as well.
It is assumed by most voters that members of both the House and Senate have access to great healthcare and outcomes by virtue of their position in our government. And they are correct in that assumption. Yet, for the past 30+ years, Republican polilticians have looked down their noses at the Americans who did not reach the economic status known by a few at the top. They have referred to those Americans in the most vile of terms to express their disgust for the poor and the sick.
Thus I beg, plead, exhort Sen. John McCain to use this opportunity as his epiphany, to see the value of providing the same quality healthcare he received, to all Americans. Healthy Americans have a higher probability of reaching their dreams for better education, better jobs, and a healthier long life.
I also hope this medical experience will allow him time to really think things over on the value of healthcare for all Americans. Yes, I believe access to the highest quality healthcare should be a right, not a privilege. Perhaps McCain will see the light on that philosophy as well.
It is assumed by most voters that members of both the House and Senate have access to great healthcare and outcomes by virtue of their position in our government. And they are correct in that assumption. Yet, for the past 30+ years, Republican polilticians have looked down their noses at the Americans who did not reach the economic status known by a few at the top. They have referred to those Americans in the most vile of terms to express their disgust for the poor and the sick.
Thus I beg, plead, exhort Sen. John McCain to use this opportunity as his epiphany, to see the value of providing the same quality healthcare he received, to all Americans. Healthy Americans have a higher probability of reaching their dreams for better education, better jobs, and a healthier long life.
146
That's the thing- we Americans should not have to "beg, plead" or "exhort" anyone to get healthcare. It's a RIGHT. This is America. I will not kiss the ring of some old white guy. We have serious problems if you think that's what needs to happen.
He'll let opportunity pass him by. It's what they do. The irony will also be lost on the man who should have retired long ago.
"beg, plead, exhort"? Do you think he cares about you? He has 7-8 homes he has to "manage".
Dependence upon an 80 year old man returning to work 1 week after a craniotomy is pretty demonstrative of their healthcare plan.
19
Congress should be required to use the healthcare they provide to the rest of our country. Anything less is rubbish and unacceptable.
9
Stay home in Arizona and get well, Senator McCain. Don't put your health at risk by coming back to vote on a disaster. McConnell made his bed and now he can lie in it.
13
I like McCain but come on now, it's time to give up that power that ALL senators cling to for dear life. Retire. You're ageing. Pass that torch.
6
I find it intriguing that the official illness was reported by Senator McCain's office was a "two-inch blood clot removed above his left eye", mandating a "minimally invasive craniotomy." "Above the eye" involving a craniotomy obviously must mean brain surgery. But the term was avoided.
The suggestion of brain dysfunction automatically challenges whether a public servant is qualified for the job. Recall how Secretary Clinton's competency was called into question after head injury that resulted in temporary double vision, undoubtedly the effect of brainstem injury. Moreover, when Clinton became a candidate as the Democratic candidate for the Presidency, a video clip showing her bobbling her head during an amusing interaction with her supporters was raised by Sean Hannity--repeatedly--that she may have had a seizure on camera. Which was complete nonsense. But Hannity wanted to flog this idea, to do anything to disqualify for her competency for the job.
Senator McConnell surprisingly delayed the Senate's vote on the latest iteration of the health bill, owing to the unavailability of Senator McCain in the near future. Since when does the work of the Senate take a rest because one of its members must take a leave? Does one not recall when Senator Edward Kennedy suffered a seizure, found to be the result of a terminal brain tumor, that he suspended his votes but not his post? The Senate's work did not cease then.
As before, McConnell is tilting the vote in the GOP's advantage.
The suggestion of brain dysfunction automatically challenges whether a public servant is qualified for the job. Recall how Secretary Clinton's competency was called into question after head injury that resulted in temporary double vision, undoubtedly the effect of brainstem injury. Moreover, when Clinton became a candidate as the Democratic candidate for the Presidency, a video clip showing her bobbling her head during an amusing interaction with her supporters was raised by Sean Hannity--repeatedly--that she may have had a seizure on camera. Which was complete nonsense. But Hannity wanted to flog this idea, to do anything to disqualify for her competency for the job.
Senator McConnell surprisingly delayed the Senate's vote on the latest iteration of the health bill, owing to the unavailability of Senator McCain in the near future. Since when does the work of the Senate take a rest because one of its members must take a leave? Does one not recall when Senator Edward Kennedy suffered a seizure, found to be the result of a terminal brain tumor, that he suspended his votes but not his post? The Senate's work did not cease then.
As before, McConnell is tilting the vote in the GOP's advantage.
4
I send my blessings to Senator McCain and encourage him to take the time to heal, as we all should -- and should be allowed to - when faced with a serious health challenge. I trust he will recover in due time.
I also send blessings to our Twitterer-In-Chief, his staff, and his beloved Hannity, that they may all find peace and the piece of mind to stifle their temptation to blame McCain's blood clot and his resulting absence from the Senate floor on Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, or Democrats in general. I am not nearly as sanguine about this outcome as I am McCain's recovery, however.
I also send blessings to our Twitterer-In-Chief, his staff, and his beloved Hannity, that they may all find peace and the piece of mind to stifle their temptation to blame McCain's blood clot and his resulting absence from the Senate floor on Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, or Democrats in general. I am not nearly as sanguine about this outcome as I am McCain's recovery, however.
4
Wishing Sen. McCain a complete recovery, as we need his strong voice to stand up to the Soviet misconduct and continuous threats to our diplomats and warriors. At the same time, this son of privilege, his father an Admiral, could empathize more with the working Americans and many Veterans who need real health insurance, not the junk, fake insurance offered by the McConnell/Cruz bill. I hope Sen McCain joins the several Republicans who recognize the enormous harm Trumpcare will cause to loyal Americans who deserve a better deal!
3
Why can't they get his vote where he is. Can't stand him, but hope he recovers, though I wish he would leave congress - jsut a troublemaker.
1
How ironic that someone with incredible healthcare can be a deciding vote on denying others what he has.
10
Many commenters here are hoping that McCain will return to Washington and vote no on McConnell's shameful bill. May I suggest that you're indulging in wishful thinking?
This man has zero honor. Sure, he stood up to torture in Vietnam---but that was over 40 years ago. In the intervening time, he's given us Sarah Palin, Tom Price, Betsy DeVos, Jeff Sessions, voted against the Stream Protection Rule (i.e. against clean water), and in favor of stripping away privacy protections on the Internet. And that's just the beginning. If he was such an honorable man, why did he vote yes on any of the above, much less all of them?
McCain is a prototype of Republican hypocrisy. First, he expresses "concerns" about a healthcare bill that will condemn millions to a slow death dance characterized by "I can choose two out of three this month: buy food, pay rent, buy medicine I need to survive." Next, he'll vote YES on the bill. McConnell wouldn't be waiting for him to come back otherwise.
I'm not fooled. It's time for us to stop looking for heroes in all the wrong places. Doing so only leads to disappointment, dirty water, and no health insurance.
This man has zero honor. Sure, he stood up to torture in Vietnam---but that was over 40 years ago. In the intervening time, he's given us Sarah Palin, Tom Price, Betsy DeVos, Jeff Sessions, voted against the Stream Protection Rule (i.e. against clean water), and in favor of stripping away privacy protections on the Internet. And that's just the beginning. If he was such an honorable man, why did he vote yes on any of the above, much less all of them?
McCain is a prototype of Republican hypocrisy. First, he expresses "concerns" about a healthcare bill that will condemn millions to a slow death dance characterized by "I can choose two out of three this month: buy food, pay rent, buy medicine I need to survive." Next, he'll vote YES on the bill. McConnell wouldn't be waiting for him to come back otherwise.
I'm not fooled. It's time for us to stop looking for heroes in all the wrong places. Doing so only leads to disappointment, dirty water, and no health insurance.
13
I often comment on how I just as soon see Obamacare repealed and not replaced. Well the majority of comments on this article hardens my position. Health care was doing just fine before the Obama administration started tinkering with it. We should go back to how it was before. Thank you.
6
Southern Boy:
Yeah, everything was just great in the South in 1859 before those Yankees started sticking their noses in other people's business. Republicans, no less. Awful. That Abe Lincoln, man did he mess things up.
Let's go back to 1859, when life was good.
Yeah, everything was just great in the South in 1859 before those Yankees started sticking their noses in other people's business. Republicans, no less. Awful. That Abe Lincoln, man did he mess things up.
Let's go back to 1859, when life was good.
2
If you have health insurance through an employer then yes, you would have done well prior to the ACA. But for those without employer provided insurance, the landscape was completely different. And for those with preexisiting conditions, even minor ones, the insurance companies jacked up premiums. And so many were completely without insurance. The system wasn't working "just fine" before the ACA.
@SB
Before Obamacare:
Premiums were going up rapidly: Between 2000 and 2010, average family premiums for employer coverage grew 8 percent per year – a perpetual burden on Americans’ budgets. From 2010 to 2016, that same average has grown at a slower 5 percent a year.
Hundreds of thousands of people were afraid to change jobs: It’s a phenomenon called “job lock” – people being afraid to leave their corporate jobs and go out on their own because doing so meant walking away from affordable premiums. For some, the risk was even greater; if you had a pre-existing condition, insurance companies could refuse to sell you coverage. No longer.
Women got fewer mammograms: According to a study published in the journal Cancer, more women of all income and education levels got screened for breast cancer once Obamacare eliminated the out-of-pocket costs for the test. While there’s no way to know for sure if the ACA was the reason behind the increase (colonoscopy screenings did not see a similar rise), it makes sense that removing the financial barrier for cancer screenings and flu shots would result in more preventive care – and a healthier, less-costly population.
Women paid more than men: Before Obamacare, women buying insurance on the individual market were often charged more than men. The practice was known as “gender rating.” The ACA made that illegal.
There were more hospital mistakes: After Obamacare offered incentives for hospitals to avoid harm to patients, readmissions fell 8%.
Before Obamacare:
Premiums were going up rapidly: Between 2000 and 2010, average family premiums for employer coverage grew 8 percent per year – a perpetual burden on Americans’ budgets. From 2010 to 2016, that same average has grown at a slower 5 percent a year.
Hundreds of thousands of people were afraid to change jobs: It’s a phenomenon called “job lock” – people being afraid to leave their corporate jobs and go out on their own because doing so meant walking away from affordable premiums. For some, the risk was even greater; if you had a pre-existing condition, insurance companies could refuse to sell you coverage. No longer.
Women got fewer mammograms: According to a study published in the journal Cancer, more women of all income and education levels got screened for breast cancer once Obamacare eliminated the out-of-pocket costs for the test. While there’s no way to know for sure if the ACA was the reason behind the increase (colonoscopy screenings did not see a similar rise), it makes sense that removing the financial barrier for cancer screenings and flu shots would result in more preventive care – and a healthier, less-costly population.
Women paid more than men: Before Obamacare, women buying insurance on the individual market were often charged more than men. The practice was known as “gender rating.” The ACA made that illegal.
There were more hospital mistakes: After Obamacare offered incentives for hospitals to avoid harm to patients, readmissions fell 8%.
Good for Senator McCain to get the best health care possible. I wish him a speedy recovery. If he had been one of his constituents who is being voted off Medicare by the Republican party, he probably would have died. Perhaps he will see this as a wake up call...but probably not.
2
Melanoma is no joke - and it does cause strokes, usually the first major symptom (from what my partner's doc told us). All my best to Senator McCain.
As for the rest of congress, you cannot govern until you deal with the elephant in the room.
As for the rest of congress, you cannot govern until you deal with the elephant in the room.
1
Wish I could be as nice as all of you.
He hated the tea party, He is a Dem, The war thing is old. let us not forget the gang of 8.
I did not vote for him. I live in AZ.
He has closed all his local offices! He has a slush fund just like Clinton.
Not a good guy for me.
He hated the tea party, He is a Dem, The war thing is old. let us not forget the gang of 8.
I did not vote for him. I live in AZ.
He has closed all his local offices! He has a slush fund just like Clinton.
Not a good guy for me.
3
You live in Az and you think McCain is a Dem?
1
Sen. McCain's blood clot was found during a routine annual physical. Just that by itself shows how important periodic checkups can be.
And it also begs that President Trump should be receiving periodic physicals (from our best doctors) in the off chance he too could be suffering an undiagnosed ailment that might be affecting his ability to govern.
And it also begs that President Trump should be receiving periodic physicals (from our best doctors) in the off chance he too could be suffering an undiagnosed ailment that might be affecting his ability to govern.
1
Actually the Times article that had consulted doctors indicated one would not find this on a "routine" physical, despite reports about "how" this was found. Likely either symptoms or his past medical history prompted his doctor(s) to order a brain scan.
I wish Senator McCain a quick recovery. I am a Democrat, but have much respect for those in the political center. We need more Senators and Representatives like McCain who stand up for what they believe.
2
We need to focus less on whether Sen McCain did or did not enjoy special status as a military veteran and a Senator. What we and, more importantly, the Senator should think about is that he received timely treatment, is now hopefully on the road to recovery without no concern about finding the money to pay for it. We need to worry about this: will he find it within himself to put himself in the shoes of millions of American who will not be so fortunate if his party's Health Neglect bill becomes law. In gratitude, he should call to mind the old saying: there, but for the grace of God, go I.
4
John McCain is a hero. At 80 years old, he was globe trotting, trying to patch up Trumps damage to our relations with allies. McCain is the only top Republican that I have a lot of respect for. He always seeems to me to be looking out for the country. We should be greatful that we have a person like McCain as a senior republican. I think he is the only person that keeps those guys in check.
26
He was a prisoner of war.
Who did he vote for? Who did he run with when he wanted to be president? Also, heroes do not cheat on their wives.
1
If what you're saying is true, we're all in trouble.
Senator McCain, if any other Arizonian dependent upon Medicaid or government-assisted health care plans needed surgery like this, or given your pre-existing conditions surrounding various surgeries you have had in the past, the obvious hypocrisy of health care benefits of a US Senator vs. the poor and other Arizonians with pre-existing conditions priced-out of affordable health care would have routed their future to (as your VP running mate, Sarah Plain, said) "Death Panels".
That blood clot clearly was serious enough to warrant surgery. And this had to be expensive relative to a regimen of pharmaceuticals. I recall your nasty and testy remarks to then President Obama during his round table conversation on the development of affordable health care in 2009. Hardly anything constructive from your seat that day, Sen. McCain. And so it is with most of the wealthy Republicans and their purchased Senators who want to repeal the ACA. The hypocrisy screams: if I am a rich Republican who can afford health care procedures or expensive health insurance by virtue of my "risk pool", I get a better life outcome. If I am a poor American dependent upon Medicaid (McConnell and Ryan would love to see go away) or my income can't afford health insurance since I am a part of the "working poor" (caught between income strata), that blood clot in my eye then becomes a potential aneurism to my brain. I am routed to Death Panels.
That blood clot clearly was serious enough to warrant surgery. And this had to be expensive relative to a regimen of pharmaceuticals. I recall your nasty and testy remarks to then President Obama during his round table conversation on the development of affordable health care in 2009. Hardly anything constructive from your seat that day, Sen. McCain. And so it is with most of the wealthy Republicans and their purchased Senators who want to repeal the ACA. The hypocrisy screams: if I am a rich Republican who can afford health care procedures or expensive health insurance by virtue of my "risk pool", I get a better life outcome. If I am a poor American dependent upon Medicaid (McConnell and Ryan would love to see go away) or my income can't afford health insurance since I am a part of the "working poor" (caught between income strata), that blood clot in my eye then becomes a potential aneurism to my brain. I am routed to Death Panels.
7
What a load of disingenuous nonsense, the New York Times should be reporting facts. One senator cannot hold up legislation in this way, he could vote by proxy or some other mechanism.
I expect the reporting to explain that McCain's illness is being used as an excuse for the doomed healthcare bill's delay, while some other distraction is cooked up to take the pressure off republican politicians who can't get the job done.
Why offer a millimeter of cover to these bought and paid for villains? Why? Why???
I expect the reporting to explain that McCain's illness is being used as an excuse for the doomed healthcare bill's delay, while some other distraction is cooked up to take the pressure off republican politicians who can't get the job done.
Why offer a millimeter of cover to these bought and paid for villains? Why? Why???
1
Makes me wonder, is that all? Is it related to his bizarre questioning of Comey, something more going on than the simple clot now mentioned?
1
Wishing all the best to Senator McCain on a speedy recovery.
Having said that, I 'm sure the Senator didn't have to run around looking for a doctor or hospital that would take his insurance. We the people deserve the same coverage as those in the Senate and House. But Don the con man knows better - THE CON IS ON!
Having said that, I 'm sure the Senator didn't have to run around looking for a doctor or hospital that would take his insurance. We the people deserve the same coverage as those in the Senate and House. But Don the con man knows better - THE CON IS ON!
3
Forgive me if this has been mentioned deeper in this thread, but it's a little eerie that the Senate was rocked by the death of Senator Kennedy on the eve of the ACA vote..and now this, with Senator McCain. I hope I speak for all here when I wish him a speedy recovery.
In the meantime, call your Senator..and mine as well: Senator Capito..to urge them to defeat this proposal
In the meantime, call your Senator..and mine as well: Senator Capito..to urge them to defeat this proposal
He has to recover from his surgery quickly so he can vote to deny medical care to tens of millions of his fellow citizens. Perhaps he'll think about how fortunate he is to have excellent health care and change his mind about the cruel health care bill. Not likely since Republicans have long felt that health care is only for the rich. Their plan for the poor is simple-Don't get sick!
2
The republicans will wait for McCain to pass a horrible bill , but they couldn't give Garland a hearing.
2
Regardless of what one might think about his politics I hope that Mr. McCain has a quick and full recovery.
I wish Senator McCain the best, but he needed to retire long ago.
2
God bless the Senator that he has such good health care. It covers pre-existing conditions, should this turn out to be related to his melanoma.
Is he seriously thinking about denying his fellow citizens that same kind of coverage? I have not seen his name as a "NO", along with Susan Collins and Dr.
Rand Paul (yup, one of the other heartless doctors in Congress and in the administration), although the latter is voting NO as the current bill is not stringent enough.
Is he seriously thinking about denying his fellow citizens that same kind of coverage? I have not seen his name as a "NO", along with Susan Collins and Dr.
Rand Paul (yup, one of the other heartless doctors in Congress and in the administration), although the latter is voting NO as the current bill is not stringent enough.
I gained a lot of respect for Senator McCain when he was running for President and corrected a woman who accused Senator Obama of being a Muslim and other untrue remarks about him.
I believe that is the man he has in his heart and am disgusted that he stands by and let's "his" party try to destroy democracy in America. It just goes to show - again - that anyone can be corrupted.
Honorable people who identify with the historic republican party are hastening it's demise by standing with the International Mafia who have taken it over.
Playing sick will gain nothing. Denounce them now. Save your honor. It's the only thing in life that really matters.
I believe that is the man he has in his heart and am disgusted that he stands by and let's "his" party try to destroy democracy in America. It just goes to show - again - that anyone can be corrupted.
Honorable people who identify with the historic republican party are hastening it's demise by standing with the International Mafia who have taken it over.
Playing sick will gain nothing. Denounce them now. Save your honor. It's the only thing in life that really matters.
2
Wishing this good man and HERO a speedy and complete recovery. He's one of the few GOP senators I have any respect for, even if I do not always agree with him. I'm hoping that during his recovery he comes to his senses on health care.
I pray for Mr. McCain's recovery -- he has been an equalizing force in these ethically muddy times. He has my respect and admiration for speaking out when others stayed silent. I don't care what kind of insurance he has; we need him back.
2
What better way to share in the speedy recovery for John McCain by celebrating his vote to NOT repeal the ACA.
I think it's inappropriate to allow a comment thread on another human beings health matter! No matter what their position! I ask the person who cleared this if they would want strangers to have public knowledge of their own health?!
6
Too true! MOST of it is speculative anyway...
1
How refreshing it is to see a comment like yours, and I'm not being sarcastic. I mean it when I say refreshing. Kudos to you...
1
Not inappropriate at all. This man holds my health in his hands. He has the power of life and death over me. I have pre-existing conditions and I will most likely need to pay exorbitant amounts of money for very little care -- exactly the opposite of millionaire McCain and his millionaire pals.
And I don't mind people commenting about my health at all. It's important. You do know that John McCain is going to vote to overturn ACA, don't you? There's no other reason McConnell is holding up the vote. If John McCain had the health care that my family and I are going to have with ACA repeal, he'd be dead. But he knows that he is much more important than I am, because he is a big shot senator and I am not. He couldn't possibly share my lowly position in life with regard to health care.
And I don't mind people commenting about my health at all. It's important. You do know that John McCain is going to vote to overturn ACA, don't you? There's no other reason McConnell is holding up the vote. If John McCain had the health care that my family and I are going to have with ACA repeal, he'd be dead. But he knows that he is much more important than I am, because he is a big shot senator and I am not. He couldn't possibly share my lowly position in life with regard to health care.
I believe that senators have single payer health care. Maybe they could vote on a bill to provide that to everyone and save 7% of the GNP.
10
As you've probably since learned, Senators do NOT have "single payer health care." They're all required to choose among the same Obamacare plans that are available to members of the public.
McCain's case is different, of course, for at least two reasons:
1. He's 80 years old, which means he's been on Medicare for over a decade.
2. He's very wealthy, and so probably doesn't need to rely on medical insurance in the first place.
McCain's case is different, of course, for at least two reasons:
1. He's 80 years old, which means he's been on Medicare for over a decade.
2. He's very wealthy, and so probably doesn't need to rely on medical insurance in the first place.
1
Whether you like his politics or not, aside for his heroics during the Vietnam War (despite what the POTUS might say) Sen.McCain has been steadfast in his beliefs and candid in their expression. A refreshing and missing combination in this day and age. What's more, unlike many of his Republican colleagues he does not make decisions along party lines but in a manner that he believes serves his constituency and the country well. I wish him all the best for a complete and speedy recovery. Godspeed!
3
Best wishes to Senator McCain. And here's to hoping it provides him with a new found appreciation for the platinum plated health care provided him by the taxpayers of America. The same people the GOP wants to deny health care to.
9
John McCain will be unable to vote to take away health care from 23 million Americans for a few weeks, as he recovers from brain surgery paid for by, among others, those 23 million Americans.
Nice guy!
Nice guy!
5
This has nothing to do with the health of Senator McCain which turns out to be far worse than suspected initially. We wish him well. If the GOP had the votes to pull off a victory they would have done so in a flash. They are stalling to gain time to pressure Senators who are not toeing the party line like Dean Heller of Nevada who is up for re-election in 2018. The Republicans will either find the votes and pass the bill ASAP or it will slip into oblivion as they pretend to wait for Senator McCain to return. More hypocrisy than ever!
4
I wish Senator McCain a successful recovery. This kind of operation is very serious, and he should be given all the time he needs to recuperate.
There should not be a rush to complete a vote; we haven't even seen the CBO score yet for this bill. I hope that the Republicans somehow come to their senses, and agree to something that is better for everyone.
There should not be a rush to complete a vote; we haven't even seen the CBO score yet for this bill. I hope that the Republicans somehow come to their senses, and agree to something that is better for everyone.
64
Their controlling donors like the Kochs want Medcaid destroyed. Don't hold your breath.
1
Republicans come to their senses? ... they sold their soul to the Trump bandwagon long time ago. They have no soul, and therefore no sense - the present Repubs that is.
Clearly Sen. McCain's condition is far more serious than McConnell would have lead us to believe. A clot anywhere near the frontal lobes of the brain is a serious matter. Mr. McCain's condition will require a longer recovery time than a week and continual monitoring -- close monitoring for several months and periodic monitoring for years. And that's if the pathology report is negative for cancer. If it the report shows the presence of cancer, all bets are off as to whether Mr. McCain will ever return to the Senate.
Having said that, I hope that Mr. McCain takes the time to reflect on the health care that he's receiving and how his vote would be crucial to enable the passing of a bill that would take way health care insurance coverage for tens of millions of his fellow citizens. Mr. McCain went to war, put his life on the line for his citizens, and stayed in prison camp rather than be released under less than honorable conditions. He is a hero. And I hope he remembers that and remembers why he's in the Senate ... to again act as a man of honor and someone who was will to place his life on the line for his fellow citizens. And voting for MConnell's disgraceful bill is not an honorable act.
Having said that, I hope that Mr. McCain takes the time to reflect on the health care that he's receiving and how his vote would be crucial to enable the passing of a bill that would take way health care insurance coverage for tens of millions of his fellow citizens. Mr. McCain went to war, put his life on the line for his citizens, and stayed in prison camp rather than be released under less than honorable conditions. He is a hero. And I hope he remembers that and remembers why he's in the Senate ... to again act as a man of honor and someone who was will to place his life on the line for his fellow citizens. And voting for MConnell's disgraceful bill is not an honorable act.
11
Godspeed (as Christians say). Wishing you a speedy recovery. Sending well-wishes now.
5
Did Mr McCain seek care at the Mayo clinic because the wait time at the VA hospital would have been months away thus endangering his well being?
10
It was in his "Network".
1
If he had been getting care at a VA hospital they would have never diagnosed it. It's that bad.
Senator McCain is a great American, whether you agree or disagree with his politics. Apart from that, I just want to see him heal, because I do not wish ill health on anyone.
5
Maybe it's time for the old war hero to retire. He has served his country for many years with honor. I say that even though I don't agree with him most of the time. Also, this article sounds as if it is much more serious than the press has been reporting. I wish him a full recovery.
1
McCain is a Progressive Democrat in Republican clothing. PROBLEM!!!
1
Hopefully McCain won't come back. A raving Rino since his Presidential run, Mr. McCain is no longer mentally fit to represent the American people.
1
I used to work at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix. McCain is enrolled in the Executive Health Plan, a premium plan for wealthy patients. He has the best health care taxpayer money can buy, yet he and his fellow GOP criminals want to force junk healthcare on the American people.
Shame on you John McCain.
Shame on you John McCain.
7
Even though I have not generally been supportive of Senator McCain's political views, his honesty has always impressed me. Blessings, Senator!
2
You cannot trust Republicans to represent the working class family's needs. They just do not understand beyond their ability to make false promises. Don't junk medicaid, too many people rely on it to live.
4
The working class cannot be trusted to understand and vote for those who serve their own interests.
Once the CBO completes its analyses on the latest iteration of the GOP plan and Cruz's proposed amendments--allowing suboptimal plans and denying coverage for preexisting or forcing this pool into expensive plans--I hope the press will run the numbers on what Senator McCain's diagnosis, surgery, hospitalization, and follow-ups will cost him vs what those costs would be for a person under the current GOP proposals.
That said, wishing Senator McCain a full recovery.
That said, wishing Senator McCain a full recovery.
2
Nine out of ten doctors are too quickly to operate, especially when the patient is 80 years old - sometimes it sis better to let nature handle it. Recovery takes time, lots of time, and is a totally different issue from being allowed to go home. The patient is in shock, but not aware of it, for often more than a year and can be recognized through different behavior, concerns, not being the same guy anymore. His family and friends should push him to retire. Time to move on.
Obviously, a person can have a health issue at any age. But I truly believe that there should be age limits on congress and the presidency. It needs to be put into law, since there seem to be an abundance of people who will never admit that they are past the age when they should be holding office. We do not need people in their 80s and 90s running our government. Their auto rates have increased because their age makes them a danger on the roads, but they are making decisions that affect more than 300 million people. This is a no-brainer.
4
I agree with that as long as the lower age for congress & the presidency/VP is raised to a minimum of 40, married once, with kids, after having worked in the private sector long enough to qualify for SS & Medicare, so they will not get either a pension or healthcare paid for by the people, that we can't get. Don't forget they must be at most agnostics, no Radicals & holding at least one term as governor or above. All Fed elected officials would have to have started local & worked up to running for congress, full term at each level. Then only one term at congressional & presidential levels. Leaders at both sides of the Capitol voted for not by party, but, by all. Just maybe the people should vote for those positions instead. Or pick 2 at random in both houses. Make em work together. Neither with more power than the other.
If any of the AHCA opposing senators would face the same issue that unfortunately McCain is, McConnell would expedite the vote. It is inconceivable how partisan D.C. is and how little the voting matters in policy issues.
1
Ironic, isn't it? That this senator's health problems are supposedly stalling the Republican party's evisceration of a health insurance safety net. It's not lost on many of us that Mr. McCain has an excellent health insurance plan which covers the Mayo Clinic for his illness, something many Americans do not have. If I recall, senators keep their excellent health insurance plans for life after retiring.
13
Senator McCain, I hope for you a full recovery and am glad that you could receive such exceptional care.
Arizonans who are insured via the ACA would have been denied the excellent care you received at Mayo Clinic Arizona. The facility does not accept ACA plans, subsidized or otherwise. Nor could I find an individual plan on the open market that was "in-network." It does take Medicaid and Medicare, but patients would have to be approved for the procedure and might be forced to try other less expensive treatments first.
As a healthcare advocate, I can assure you that access to care and access to quality care are not the same thing -- far from it.
Medicare for all, Senator McCain, is the morally and ethically and humane thing to do. The GOP bill on the Senate floor isn't worthy of lining the birdcage of a fowl with dysentery, and you know it. I hope and pray you will take the right actions for your state and for your country.
Arizonans who are insured via the ACA would have been denied the excellent care you received at Mayo Clinic Arizona. The facility does not accept ACA plans, subsidized or otherwise. Nor could I find an individual plan on the open market that was "in-network." It does take Medicaid and Medicare, but patients would have to be approved for the procedure and might be forced to try other less expensive treatments first.
As a healthcare advocate, I can assure you that access to care and access to quality care are not the same thing -- far from it.
Medicare for all, Senator McCain, is the morally and ethically and humane thing to do. The GOP bill on the Senate floor isn't worthy of lining the birdcage of a fowl with dysentery, and you know it. I hope and pray you will take the right actions for your state and for your country.
14
When millions of Americans have anything more complicated looked after in the US Wealth Care racket than a hangnail, it usually means bankruptcy.
Hey, McCain - how about revealing what this will set you back? I'm betting it is nothing at all, very much unlike the horrendous 'coverage' you want to subject millions of US citizens to.
Hey, McCain - how about revealing what this will set you back? I'm betting it is nothing at all, very much unlike the horrendous 'coverage' you want to subject millions of US citizens to.
15
I am more worried about Sen. McConnell and his minions with their obvious subdural compassion clot.
13
Wishing the best for one of America's all-time heroes. Also hoping he helps sink this health care debacle.
5
Hero? He is PATHETIC!!!! Talks a big game but pulls the GOP lever to vote against the people time and time again! He was ripped by Trump for being a POW and then bowed down to Trump once he was in office. He had the chance to do so much good but when push comes to shove he fails us time and time again. Now has the nerve to go to the Mayo Clinic and use out tax dollars! What a sad man!
1
Another commenter said that when the ACA went into effect all in congress had to start getting their health insurance in the Marketplace & pay at least 28% via payroll tax. Anyway, McCain has Medicare. He's 80. And was in the private sector for enough quarters for SS & Medicare eligibility. People like that can choose, but, can't have both. Any way the Mayo Clinic will take any government official, celebrity, or high profile case, with or without insurance. It's one of the reasons it is so well known. It's like paying for unbeatable publicity. So, he will never see a bill. You don't even need to be famous for a good reason, just get their name plastered on the news all over the world.
Mr. McConnell is not the brightest bulb on the tree, so I am not surprised that he seems unaware of the cruel irony in this. Mr. McCain however, could and should confirm his status as an American hero, and vote against the GOP bill upon his safe return to the senate, having availed himself of the best government funded health services taxpayer money can buy.
6
"In June, his somewhat confused questioning of James B. Comey, the former F.B.I. director, led to concerns about his mental status, which he later jokingly dismissed by saying he had stayed up too late watching baseball the night before."
That entirely misses the point about why his questioning had been "confused", or perhaps more likely "deflective". McCain was trying to connect the Russia investigation to questions about Hillary. This wasn't a mental problem, but a being-a-GOPer problem that jibes perfectly with his support for Palin as President-in-Waiting *shudders* and his deliberate use of questions from racist town-hall audience members to look moderate ( https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/13/opinion/a-party-agrift.html#permid=18... ).
"But let's dispel this notion that [McCain] doesn't know what he's doing. He knows exactly what he's doing." —with (no) apologies to Rubio
That entirely misses the point about why his questioning had been "confused", or perhaps more likely "deflective". McCain was trying to connect the Russia investigation to questions about Hillary. This wasn't a mental problem, but a being-a-GOPer problem that jibes perfectly with his support for Palin as President-in-Waiting *shudders* and his deliberate use of questions from racist town-hall audience members to look moderate ( https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/13/opinion/a-party-agrift.html#permid=18... ).
"But let's dispel this notion that [McCain] doesn't know what he's doing. He knows exactly what he's doing." —with (no) apologies to Rubio
4
Take all the time you need John. A couple of months if need be. The defeat of the GOP NoHealthcare bill can wait at least that long.
7
Senator McCain comes back and votes to enable Trump Junkcare for the
rest of us. There is no way to sell that without the stink of hypocrisy.
rest of us. There is no way to sell that without the stink of hypocrisy.
5
I wish Senator McCain a speedy recovery. I also hope he takes this time to reflect on what it would be like for a person without insurance to go through this procedure.
11
Take your time and get well, Senator. The health bill wasn't going to pass anyway.
3
Maybe after they don't do anything about health care they can take up term limits.
6
What kind of job allows the boss to put a multi-jillion dollar project on hold because one (1) of fifty (50) people working on its launch (or its demise) had to call in sick?
Is this what we have come to ? In a representative democracy ?
How sad !
Call the vote Mitch.
Why are you so afraid ? .
You only had more than SEVEN years to reinvent American healthcare.
What were you working on, ON MY TAX DOLLARS, that whole time?
You like to think of yourself as cunning.
I prefer instead to label you a coward.
Is this what we have come to ? In a representative democracy ?
How sad !
Call the vote Mitch.
Why are you so afraid ? .
You only had more than SEVEN years to reinvent American healthcare.
What were you working on, ON MY TAX DOLLARS, that whole time?
You like to think of yourself as cunning.
I prefer instead to label you a coward.
15
He is poised to vote to deny healthcare to millions of Americans. As a matter of principle, he should have foregone this treatment.
22
Sounds like McCain may have had a sub-dural hematoma. If that's the case, he won't be back for a minimum of two weeks. As an 80yo, he still has isn't out of the woods yet...
6
Get well soon Senator McCain so that you can rush back to the Senate and vote for a bill that will leave 23 million americans without insurance! A small price to pay for the political victory of repealing "Obamacare"...
16
There are a lot of comments here showing little regard for the Senator's current situation.
How about we let him recover, however long that takes. Let's act with the same compassion and empathy we demand from our representatives.
How about we let him recover, however long that takes. Let's act with the same compassion and empathy we demand from our representatives.
12
Democrats, liberals and progressives are only compassionate to their own. Their new level of vitriol towards anyone who does not toe their party line is sick, but not unexpected. Their thirst for returning to power of taxing and spending will not be quenched, or denied.
John McCain (and the Republican Party) has no compassion and empathy for millions of American taxpayers who need affordable healthcare and you expect compassion and empathy from the people who provide him with his health insurance and salary?
3
I wish Sen. McCain nothing but the best, simply because he's a fellow human being and, despite lots of political positions I abhor (including his picking Sarah Palin as his VP candidate), has sometimes shown more courage than almost all of his fellow Republican politicians on a few issues.
Still, add me to the chorus dismayed by the irony of his benefiting from congressional health care coverage far superior to that of ordinary Americans, even as his party prepares to gut that coverage which does exist for many of us.
Still, add me to the chorus dismayed by the irony of his benefiting from congressional health care coverage far superior to that of ordinary Americans, even as his party prepares to gut that coverage which does exist for many of us.
26
I hope he recovers quickly,and goes to vote against the republican horror
Health bill.
Health bill.
11
Agreed.
Just repeal ObamaCare and don't replace it.
Just repeal ObamaCare and don't replace it.
Senator McCain, I am your independent constituent. I wish you a fast and full recovery. You have access to best health care in the world. There are millions of US citizens who don't have access to the bare minimum, it is up to you to make sure they do.
Vote 'NO' on the current GOP inhumane proposal. Cosponsor you colleague Bernie Sanders' single-payer system.
Vote 'NO' on the current GOP inhumane proposal. Cosponsor you colleague Bernie Sanders' single-payer system.
37
What, so your ObamaCare premiums can go up another 50%+ in Arizona like it did last year? Good luck with that.
Read and consider before you opine. I said: "single-payer"!
Isn't it about time for McCain to retire? Such surgeries are serious and he shouldn't be working full time after that kind of operation.
Of course when does the Senate actually work full time.
Of course when does the Senate actually work full time.
5
Sorry about McCain's medical problems and wish him well.
But that doesn't stop me from realizing that the man will have no compunction in hypocritically voting for the Senate bill, which will make the very life saving procedure he underwent, monetarily unavailable to poor seniors.
But that doesn't stop me from realizing that the man will have no compunction in hypocritically voting for the Senate bill, which will make the very life saving procedure he underwent, monetarily unavailable to poor seniors.
13
It must be nice to not worry whether you can pay for health care when you have a sudden emergency. It's not ironic or even perverse anymore. News about a senator's or house member's need for health care just underscores how utterly detached and cruel too many of them are when it comes to ordinary Americans. Steve Scalise has likely racked up $1 million in health care bills at this point (and I sincerely wish his recovery). The difference is that I also sincerely wish the rest of my country to be well.
17
I see lots of comments I absolutely agree with -- wishing the best for McCain's recovery, while feeling outraged about the super coverage he enjoys for this serious condition; he must have signaled to Mitch McConnell that he would vote for the new plan or they would certainly not bother waiting for him, rather outrageous in and of itself, as someone has pointed out, that this crucial vote is being held up indefinitely to let this one man vote. Aren't there rules for this sort of thing?
1
Time to retire?
6
Lucky thing McCain is covered by proper government-sponsored medical insurance. If he were covered by the bill they want him to vote for, he'd be doomed.
13
Here's a nice all-purpose term for Mitch and the gang: "Optics". Apply it in whatever way you like.
1
Best wishes for a full recovery, Senator.
Please enjoy the finest medical care, courtesy of everyone on this comment board.
Please enjoy the finest medical care, courtesy of everyone on this comment board.
23
It's ironic and sad that McCain's surgery at the Mayo Clinic, financed by tax-payer supplied insurance, is the only thing that delaying him and like-minded Republican Senators from denying the same to million of less fortunate Americans.
69
Lucky Mayo Clinic in his "Network". You Americans out there. You restricted by your network? Do you think you are truly free?
6
Brain surgery is brain surgery. They cut a chunk out of your skull and then not only use titanium plates, but the "skull dust" as glue to hold in the piece they cut out. Think, cutting a piece off a pumpkin. Lid does not fit perfectly again. Even if benign, you are talking weeks before someone recovers from this sort of invasion into the body--and this does not even take into account that no one is yet disclosing exactly what the problem is and the prognosis. The headaches are terrible that result from the surgery and the pain quite extreme. On a political note, would the insurance the GOP wants to provide Americans with cover the Senator's surgery adequately? Not likely. You don't need health insurance until you need it, right?
29
Well, on the bright side, brain surgery is not rocket science after all.
Now, can we move on to that Mars mission? Why is the vote on that delayed because of this healthcare bill?
Now, can we move on to that Mars mission? Why is the vote on that delayed because of this healthcare bill?
3
And to mention, if he went under general anesthesia, it takes a toll on older people. I have seen it several times with family members. It does have an effect on movement, coordination and mental sharpness.
Maybe it is time for Mr. McCain to retire.
Maybe it is time for Mr. McCain to retire.
1
The logic of Mitch McConnell: Delay a vote on a bill that would rob millions of Americans of healthcare so that a fellow Senator can avail himself of excellent medical services -- and return to support the bill!
Mitch and his supporters have become so focused on the goal of repealing Obamacare that logic and consequences have become irrelevant. The GOP is treating Obamacare as if it were a vaccine that somehow causes autism.
Mitch and his supporters have become so focused on the goal of repealing Obamacare that logic and consequences have become irrelevant. The GOP is treating Obamacare as if it were a vaccine that somehow causes autism.
45
Along with logic and consequences, basic humanity is no longer relevant to the GOP.
2
Lucky guy - he has health insurance and plenty of money.
31
I would hardly characterize an 80 year old who just had a hole cut in his skull as "lucky".
3
Are you serious? He has access to the best health care in the world. There are no financial limitations on his ability to receive lifesaving care. His family will not be bankrupted by this.
He is an 80 year old man who is in such good health that he can still serve as a senator of the United States! Perspective.
He is an 80 year old man who is in such good health that he can still serve as a senator of the United States! Perspective.
1
Become a career politician and SO CAN YOU!
2
Everyone should be writing to him now, in addition to/instead of commenting here where he will not see it.
Karma is a thing.
Karma is a thing.
13
But beth, how do you know he doesn't read the NYT or the comments?
1
Who cares. He was irrelevant in the end.
The irony that a serious health issue could delay the vote on this mean-spirited bill!
22
It is more than just a little ironic that they have to wait for one of their own to recover from state of the art medical treatment that we all pay for so that they can deny medical service to millions of their fellow countrymen. And I'll bet he has a zero co-pay. They are a disgrace to the country.
47
Melanoma
4
Some are complaining that his is not found during a routine exam. I suspect he and his doc discussed the June questioning and the doc decided to look into the matter. Likely, he should have gone to the doc about his change in speech earlier, or even, he had, but scheduled his appointment for the procedure during the July recess. McConnell is the one who forced the session to go longer.
I hope he fares well.
I hope he fares well.
2
Perhaps Senator McCain's unfortunate medical situation provides an opportunity for the NYTimes to write an article on the health insurance that congress and all federal employees have access to, what it costs, etc. It is not free. Basically, it is a major medical plan - like that offered by larger companies. The "company" i.e. gov't subsidizes the majority of the premiums (~70%) with the employee paying the rest. They incur treatment/medication costs depending on the plan they choose. Some in congress or other federal jobs opt out and utilize a spouse's plan. Same thing in private industry. Fair debate surrounds the tax benefits enjoyed by companies that subsidize premiums & whether or not all federal employees should enjoy such subsidies at taxpayers' expense.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Senator McCain.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Senator McCain.
24
Hear, hear!
3
Fully agree! An article comparing congressional coverage with the options open (or closed) to most Americans would be very illuminating right now. Also take into account the relatively excellent health coverage subsidies to our privileged members of Congress whose salaries, perks and post-Congress earning potential are all far better than most Americans'.
4
Exactly, my sentiments. PLEASE, NYT, do this.
Ironic, isn't it? That this senator's health problems are supposedly stalling the Republican party's evisceration of a health insurance safety net. It's not lost on many of us that Mr. McCain has an excellent health insurance plan which covers the Mayo Clinic for his illness, something many Americans do not have. If I recall, senators keep their excellent health insurance plans for life after retiring.
Ironic, isn't it? That this senator's health problems are supposedly stalling the Republican party's evisceration of a health insurance safety net. It's not lost on many of us that Mr. McCain has an excellent health insurance plan which covers the Mayo Clinic for his illness, something many Americans do not have. If I recall, senators keep their excellent health insurance plans for life after retiring.
2
Just a note, the Wealthcare, I mean Healthcare Bill, which is working its way through the Senate exempts Congress from having to comply with its provisions. Congress routinely exempts itself from having to comply with laws the rest of us have to live with. We have a seriously broken government.
23
Hope he's got a good insurance plan. (I'm sure many people have already come up with a similar comment).
11
I had a colleague years ago who had a history of melanoma years earlier. He developed some behavioral issues with some inappropriate comments and weeks later a seizure. The tests then showed that he had metastasis to his skull and brain that proved to be melanoma. He got very sick thereafter.
Although speculations are often wrong and I wish Mr. McCain the best, I wonder if at this time the pathology might prove that he has some metastasis from melanoma and it might be time to let somebody else deal with the important decision that he, as a senator is forced to take.
Although speculations are often wrong and I wish Mr. McCain the best, I wonder if at this time the pathology might prove that he has some metastasis from melanoma and it might be time to let somebody else deal with the important decision that he, as a senator is forced to take.
4
I can think of no other diagnosis. It will be revealed before the week ends.
2
Best of luck to Senator McCain. Hopefully he has good health insurance. Hopefully he appreciates that as he returns to vote on taking health insurance from millions of fellow Americans.
9
No doubt he has great insurance. Medicare plus Supplement. This episode will cost him little or nothing out of pocket. He needs to get well so he can go back to work to take health insurance away from 20+ million of his fellow citizens.
1
Yup. I'm on Medicare. Had cataracts done last fall. Copay $500 for both eyes.
Just don't ever need durable medical equipment. I needed a new wheelchair, mine was 15 years old, little wheels tires kept coming off, stopping the chair dead, but not ME. Tried to find someone to fix it. No one does. So, when I got on Medicare, hubby called our Medicare HMO to find out the procedure for buying a new chair. He was told what documents we needed, & faxed us a form. Called the company they told us too. Faxed everything there, after a long discussion. I heard the phone calls. Hubby said 'buy'. HMO & company never said a word. When they finally started billing us it was for a rental. Rent to own is always more expensive. They didn't start to bill us for 7 months. We now have an 'appeal' with the HMO. The company says Medicare & the HMO's never pay for anything but a rental. The HMO says it is the company's policy. If I knew it was a rental I wouldn't have painted the spokes purple & glittered them. Been going on for months now. Everyone pointing at everyone else. So, look in the dictionary size manual you get, don't call the HMO, Medicare, or any company, they all don't know what they are saying. Oh, Don't Trust Them.
Just don't ever need durable medical equipment. I needed a new wheelchair, mine was 15 years old, little wheels tires kept coming off, stopping the chair dead, but not ME. Tried to find someone to fix it. No one does. So, when I got on Medicare, hubby called our Medicare HMO to find out the procedure for buying a new chair. He was told what documents we needed, & faxed us a form. Called the company they told us too. Faxed everything there, after a long discussion. I heard the phone calls. Hubby said 'buy'. HMO & company never said a word. When they finally started billing us it was for a rental. Rent to own is always more expensive. They didn't start to bill us for 7 months. We now have an 'appeal' with the HMO. The company says Medicare & the HMO's never pay for anything but a rental. The HMO says it is the company's policy. If I knew it was a rental I wouldn't have painted the spokes purple & glittered them. Been going on for months now. Everyone pointing at everyone else. So, look in the dictionary size manual you get, don't call the HMO, Medicare, or any company, they all don't know what they are saying. Oh, Don't Trust Them.
Excellent time to compare Health plan and medical care Senator McCain now enjoying to what benefits GOP Senate wants to give everybody else. What if same condition hit the elders under Trumocare!!!!!
10
It would be financial ruin for all but the richest, or a death sentence.
5
Would the vote be delayed if it were a Democrat senator out of commission for medical reasons? I suspect not.
As others have said, I hope McCain reflects during his recovery on the treatment he is receiving, and votes against this horrific bill.
As others have said, I hope McCain reflects during his recovery on the treatment he is receiving, and votes against this horrific bill.
13
Since the Democrats do not have 51 votes - the GOP considers their opinions to be irrelevant. "To the victor belongs the spoils". (sigh)
1
I respect Senator McCain for many reasons, one in particular because he survived being a prisoner of war during the Viet Nam war. I cannot even begin to fathom that kind of experience. However, I equally detest reading about the kind of wonderful medical care he received and continues to receive because he IS a U.S. Senator. I know in my heart that if my husband (God forbid) ever encountered a medical condition comparable to that of the esteemed Senator, he would not fare as well, if not possibly die due to the undetected blood clot. It's this kind of disparity in medical coverage between the true entitled Americans vs. the average taxing paying American that I find appalling and disgusting. The fact that the Senator's blood clot was discovered during a "routine physical" is nonsense. There is no such thing as a "routine physical" when it comes to ANY politician in this country. In the meantime, how many other Americans die each day, week, month and year with less than average medical care? I truly hope Senator McCain pulls through. I just don't want to read about how wonderful his doctors from the Mayo are and feel any worse than I already do with what the GOP has in store for the American people with their "revised" healthcare plan.
432
It wasn't a routine physical and it is not a blood clot.
With all due respect Tullymd, perhaps we are not reading the same article by Denise Grady and Robert Pear. "The statement from Mr. McCain’s office said a two-inch blood clot was removed from “above his left eye” during a “minimally invasive craniotomy with an eyebrow incision” at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix, “following a routine annual physical.”
1
I agree!!! I know many people who do not have access to this top quality care!
2
Like other readers I wish the best to Sen. McCain despite the irony of the whole situation.
I was also thinking about this Woody Allen movie where a very liberal family has a son who turned into a fierce republican. If I remember well, later on in the movie, the son has a medical issue and doctors discover a problem in his brain, for which he is successfully operated upon. After the surgery the docs ask the parents if they noticed anything unusual in their son's behavior prior to his health incident and the dad and the mom look at each other with this "wait a minute!" look.
If only McCain came out on the other side of surgery with that blood clot removed and a more liberal mind.
I was also thinking about this Woody Allen movie where a very liberal family has a son who turned into a fierce republican. If I remember well, later on in the movie, the son has a medical issue and doctors discover a problem in his brain, for which he is successfully operated upon. After the surgery the docs ask the parents if they noticed anything unusual in their son's behavior prior to his health incident and the dad and the mom look at each other with this "wait a minute!" look.
If only McCain came out on the other side of surgery with that blood clot removed and a more liberal mind.
21
And as Woody Allen said in one of his movies, "The most beautiful words in the world to hear are NOT 'I love you,' they're 'It's benign.'" Good luck to the senator and all the rest of us.
"The cause of the clot has not been disclosed. The possibilities include a fall or a blow to the head, a stroke or certain brain changes associated with aging..." or perhaps sustained daily exposure to the toxic pollution spewed by his GOP colleagues, aggravated by his head slapping whenever Ted Cruz walks by.
14
Oh, the irony.
9
Not really. He's not being treated under Obamacare law. The Dems exempted senators from Obamacare, just as Repub senators are likely to exempt themselves from Obamacare's replacement.
3
"First do no harm", which is what all involved with McCain's health should be concerned about right now. Then a profile in political courage would be for McConnell to proceed with his health care legislation as scheduled, with or without Senator McCain present, and see if it merits a majority vote of approval. Recent comments by McCain before his operation were not fully supportive of this bill as proposed. So who knows if after he recovers from this emergency he will be even more cognizant of how important emergency care is for a serious issue like his, which could impact many Americans requiring as much care as he is getting. That's the point of insurance in that you never know when it will be needed,
13
The questioning of Comey makes it seem very suspicious that he was beginning to accumulate blood in the subdural location. His confusing questions make me wonder if he wasn't beginning symptoms similar to persons who, in the past, have been subjected to a procedure called a prefrontal lobotomy, although not as severe. Could that subdural hematoma have pressed enough on the brain's frontal lobe to cause similar symptoms! Thank goodness it was discovered before it became fatal!
4
Yes
1
I hope Senator McCain recovers well. But, this condition may help explain his incoherent questioning at a recent Senate Intelligence Committee hearing.
11
Sen. McCain is an American hero who has long demonstrated that he has the courage of his convictions. I hope he remains well and eager to face down the foes of the American people. He has the right stuff if he chooses to do so, even at age 80.
46
Senator McCain, as the Republican Party's nominee for President of the United States of America selected one Sarah Pallin as his running mate.
That selection regrettably called into question both his integrity to say nothing of his judgement.
This fact will forever be etched into the Senator's record. Much like the Clarence Thomas nomination is for Vice President Biden.
Regardless, we wish Senator McCain God speed and a full recovery.
That selection regrettably called into question both his integrity to say nothing of his judgement.
This fact will forever be etched into the Senator's record. Much like the Clarence Thomas nomination is for Vice President Biden.
Regardless, we wish Senator McCain God speed and a full recovery.
Well.... just watch him come back to vote YES and throw so many under the bus.
John McCain is a survivor. I hope his toughness gets him through this latest challenge and he returns to work soon.
1
While I hope Sen McCain has a successful recovery, I can't help but wonder how his future health insurance coverage will be affected by his new pre existing condition
12
Is it typical to delay votes for reasons such as this? I'm sure that at any point in time Senators are out sick or on personal business or doing something related to their constituents. Seems that this is ripe to pick and choose what votes can be delayed - are there any guidelines/rules surrounding this?
6
I find it ironic that the Healthcare vote is being delayed because McCain needs....... Healthcare.
Good thing he has coverage!
Good thing he has coverage!
10
You should have said '...that the Get Rid of Healthcare Vote is being delayed because McCain needs healthcare'
3
How ironic! A Republican Senator's very expensive and intense healthcare needs being met by probably some of the country's finest medical providers, while his fellow Republicans await their minimized, proposed, "skimpier" plans to become law of the land.
I wonder how my fellow healthcare colleagues, who may belong to the ANA, AMA, and AHA felt as they participated in their part of McCain's craniotomy.
It is interesting how various brains have been involved in the attempt to make healthcare in this country great. While one citizen, a Republican legislator is on the operating room table, getting the best of care, getting his brain fixed, his constituents throughout the country are using their bothered brains agonizing if they will ever be able to have a healthcare plan that would even allow them to be brought to an operating room table without losing everything they have!!!
Let McCain's brain become symbolic of the injustice of Republican legislators versus the just healthcare that all Americans deserve.
I wonder how my fellow healthcare colleagues, who may belong to the ANA, AMA, and AHA felt as they participated in their part of McCain's craniotomy.
It is interesting how various brains have been involved in the attempt to make healthcare in this country great. While one citizen, a Republican legislator is on the operating room table, getting the best of care, getting his brain fixed, his constituents throughout the country are using their bothered brains agonizing if they will ever be able to have a healthcare plan that would even allow them to be brought to an operating room table without losing everything they have!!!
Let McCain's brain become symbolic of the injustice of Republican legislators versus the just healthcare that all Americans deserve.
15
It would be ironic if the Senate health care bill failed because McCain was unable to perform his duties due to his own health problems.
I hope he has a full and quick recovery, and the humanity not to take away health care from millions if Americans.
I hope he has a full and quick recovery, and the humanity not to take away health care from millions if Americans.
10
Perhaps this explains those befuddling questions in June. I hope he recovers fully and quickly. Our nation depends on a few republicans with integrity -- even just a bit.
4
All I know is that if we the people had a similar health issue to deal with, we would be told to reflect on how long we have lived and the good life we've had, and to go home and die. Health care like McCain gets is not available for we the people any more. It has become a two tiered system and that's just a symptom of the larger problem of the D.C. elite making self serving decisions for themselves that benefit only themselves. Term limits, and draining the swamp are the only solution.
14
This does sound scary. What kind of health insurance does he have? Costs?
7
Help me understand the rules and laws governing Congress. If a declaration of war against a hostile nation was depending on one member of a divided Congress, would the defense of all Americans have to wait until he could physically return to Washington to cast his vote in chambers? Would there be no legal mechanism for him to vote in absentia? Lives are depending on this healthcare bill just as surely. Ironically, however, this bill will threaten more American lives than it protects, so I guess giving many people a few more weeks of Obamacare and Medicaid coverage is better than Senator McCain voting absentee to take away their insurance.
11
I wish the best for Sen. McCain and pray he has a speedy recovery.
I hope his time in the hospital will cause him to think about how different the outcome could be if he didn't have decent health insurance.
I hope his time in the hospital will cause him to think about how different the outcome could be if he didn't have decent health insurance.
36
I sincerely hope that McConnell has the decency not to pressure McCain to come back to work just to vote on this bill before McCain is sufficiently well. But that said, many workers often have no option other than to return to their jobs after a predetermined period, medically ready or not, because of leave policies, insurance, etc., that are beyond their control.
McCain's surgery highlights more discrepancies and inequities among the classes than just health insurance coverage. It all goes back to the ethical and moral question of quality of life and whether it can be humanely legislated with different standards for different people. It is a debate/discussion worth having.
McCain's surgery highlights more discrepancies and inequities among the classes than just health insurance coverage. It all goes back to the ethical and moral question of quality of life and whether it can be humanely legislated with different standards for different people. It is a debate/discussion worth having.
14
A lot of people think members of Congress get "free" health insurance at no cost to themselves. Actually, while formerly under the same programs as all federal employees, they are now mandated under the Affordable Care Act to purchase their insurance on the health exchanges. Thus they do pay towards their own insurance through payroll deduction (about 28% of the premium). That is about comparable to what other federal employees pay albeit in a different system.
3
God speed, Senator McCain.
The country needs your honest independent voice. We need you to continue to speak out in the protection of our democracy. We need you to bring that same honest voice to the present health care proposal which will simply devastate millions of poor, working class and middle class families including my own. We need the guidance of honest men, whether or not we disagree with them, if we are ever to repair our society.
The country needs your honest independent voice. We need you to continue to speak out in the protection of our democracy. We need you to bring that same honest voice to the present health care proposal which will simply devastate millions of poor, working class and middle class families including my own. We need the guidance of honest men, whether or not we disagree with them, if we are ever to repair our society.
6
Very well said.
McCain has almost always been a voice of reason, or at least a voice that was unafraid to challenge the power elites, notably Obama and Trump. And he's 80 now, and he can go down swinging, and I hope he does if his health permits.
I don't think it's a decent thing to compare his current medical situation with the healthcare he may or may not receive. I think the decent thing to do is wish him a speedy recovery.
I can't help but imagine how different our country would be if all our elected representatives had his courage to speak out against something that is flat-out wrong. The current Senate healthcare bill is a travesty, and 80 plus percent of the populations seems to known that. Why, then, can't the GOP and the Dems put their partisan war on ceasefire and come up with a reasonable, egoless bill that is, first and foremost, good for the citizens?
First things first. Take care of yourself Senator McCain. Your health comes first. As for your peers, I wish they would wake up, on both sides of the aisle, and realize their duty is to us citizens, and not their parties, or in the case of a few, their political aspirations.
McCain has almost always been a voice of reason, or at least a voice that was unafraid to challenge the power elites, notably Obama and Trump. And he's 80 now, and he can go down swinging, and I hope he does if his health permits.
I don't think it's a decent thing to compare his current medical situation with the healthcare he may or may not receive. I think the decent thing to do is wish him a speedy recovery.
I can't help but imagine how different our country would be if all our elected representatives had his courage to speak out against something that is flat-out wrong. The current Senate healthcare bill is a travesty, and 80 plus percent of the populations seems to known that. Why, then, can't the GOP and the Dems put their partisan war on ceasefire and come up with a reasonable, egoless bill that is, first and foremost, good for the citizens?
First things first. Take care of yourself Senator McCain. Your health comes first. As for your peers, I wish they would wake up, on both sides of the aisle, and realize their duty is to us citizens, and not their parties, or in the case of a few, their political aspirations.
2
Hopefully, all of the senator's medical problems will be covered by his health insurance.
15
Politics aside, I have always admired McCain's courageous behavior while a prisoner of war for five years. I wish him well.
5
Can we just cool it with the "war hero" accolades?
McCain served his country -- that I don't deny. But, while Trump was wrong to "blame" McCain for getting captured (saying he (Trump) prefers soldier's who DON'T get captured), McCain's boosters are also wrong to call him a "hero" BECAUSE he got captured. Getting captured just means you got captured; no more, no less. It doesn't make you a hero. McCain was, by all accounts, treated specially by his North Vietnamese captors -- who knew that his father was a top US military official so that any mistreatment of McCain was bound to be reported and emphasized by the US press to bolster the extremely negative image of North Vietnam and weaken the case of those who opposed the Vietnam War.
I don't find fault with John McCain, but "hero?" He is and was just an irresponsible "frat boy" type who parlayed his father's prominent position into a fighter pilot commission, then parlayed his captive status into political success in Arizona, and then parlayed his wife's extreme wealth into more of the same.
If you remember nothing else about John McCain, remember this:
When McCain was running against Obama in 2008, a reporter asked him: "How many houses do you own?", McCain's response? "I don't know." It turns out the correct answer was roughly "15," and so perhaps McCain can be forgiven for not remembering the exact number. But I vowed then that I would never vote for a candidate who can't remember how many houses he owns.
McCain served his country -- that I don't deny. But, while Trump was wrong to "blame" McCain for getting captured (saying he (Trump) prefers soldier's who DON'T get captured), McCain's boosters are also wrong to call him a "hero" BECAUSE he got captured. Getting captured just means you got captured; no more, no less. It doesn't make you a hero. McCain was, by all accounts, treated specially by his North Vietnamese captors -- who knew that his father was a top US military official so that any mistreatment of McCain was bound to be reported and emphasized by the US press to bolster the extremely negative image of North Vietnam and weaken the case of those who opposed the Vietnam War.
I don't find fault with John McCain, but "hero?" He is and was just an irresponsible "frat boy" type who parlayed his father's prominent position into a fighter pilot commission, then parlayed his captive status into political success in Arizona, and then parlayed his wife's extreme wealth into more of the same.
If you remember nothing else about John McCain, remember this:
When McCain was running against Obama in 2008, a reporter asked him: "How many houses do you own?", McCain's response? "I don't know." It turns out the correct answer was roughly "15," and so perhaps McCain can be forgiven for not remembering the exact number. But I vowed then that I would never vote for a candidate who can't remember how many houses he owns.
10
Well said and thank you My ThreeCents - -
"When McCain was running against Obama in 2008, a reporter asked him: "How many houses do you own?", McCain's response? "I don't know." It turns out the correct answer was roughly "15," and so perhaps McCain can be forgiven for not remembering the exact number. But I vowed then that I would never vote for a candidate who can't remember how many houses he owns."
Sadly the situation is much worse now and John McCain is one of the more sane Republicans in the Senate. I wish him a speedy recovery.
"When McCain was running against Obama in 2008, a reporter asked him: "How many houses do you own?", McCain's response? "I don't know." It turns out the correct answer was roughly "15," and so perhaps McCain can be forgiven for not remembering the exact number. But I vowed then that I would never vote for a candidate who can't remember how many houses he owns."
Sadly the situation is much worse now and John McCain is one of the more sane Republicans in the Senate. I wish him a speedy recovery.
Was this the occasion to discuss whether Senator McCain should be regarded as a hero or not? Suffice it to say he along with others were seriously mistreated during their years of captivity. Enough said.
2
McCain's father was an admiral when he was a POW and he had the opportunity to be released but he refused because the other POW's were not being released. In this case when he could have used his father's status for his own benefit he refused it. That is the quality in John McCain that people refer to as hero.
3
I would suggest a mandatory retirement age of 75 for the Senate, 70 for the House. We simply have too many older men and women who can't do the work any more.
Of course, this will never happen,
Of course, this will never happen,
5
While we all wish Senator McCain a speedy recovery, this incident raises the uncomfortable question about the wisdom of having so many 70 and 80 year-olds in stressful positions of power and critical decision-making (I am 65 myself).
This past election featured three candidates (Clinton, Trump and Sanders) between 69 and 75 years old. Donald Trump is the oldest person to be elected president in his first term (recent accounts of the Sicily summit talked about his need for a golf cart to get around).
Here in Maine, our two senators are 73 and 64 and our governor is 68.
Holding public office in this day and age is very demanding, physically and mentally. While some people age well, in general our physical and mental energy and capacities diminish with age (oh my aching knees!).
Our baby-boomer generation has not done a good job in grooming and mentoring a new generation of leaders. And sadly, many of us are hanging on too long in our jobs and thereby blocking the upward path of our children and grandchildren.
While I do not advocate age limits for demanding jobs, we need to be realistic about the physical and mental capacities of elderly individuals and their fitness and ability to hold stressful positions.
This past election featured three candidates (Clinton, Trump and Sanders) between 69 and 75 years old. Donald Trump is the oldest person to be elected president in his first term (recent accounts of the Sicily summit talked about his need for a golf cart to get around).
Here in Maine, our two senators are 73 and 64 and our governor is 68.
Holding public office in this day and age is very demanding, physically and mentally. While some people age well, in general our physical and mental energy and capacities diminish with age (oh my aching knees!).
Our baby-boomer generation has not done a good job in grooming and mentoring a new generation of leaders. And sadly, many of us are hanging on too long in our jobs and thereby blocking the upward path of our children and grandchildren.
While I do not advocate age limits for demanding jobs, we need to be realistic about the physical and mental capacities of elderly individuals and their fitness and ability to hold stressful positions.
213
Perhaps if there was some law that would limit campaign contributions, legislators wouldn't have to expend so much time & effort on fundraising. Senior legislators would find the job less sressful & physically demanding. Oh right, there was such a law, but it was obliterated by the Citizens United court decision.
1
Theses are good points, and I'm 62 myself, so a fellow Boomer.
And you're right, we didn't plan well for political succession. Our generation is mostly characterized by its selfishness and sense of entitlement, made possible by our parents generation - the ones who did the heavy lifting so we could prosper. For the most part, we threw that opportunity away.
I'd much prefer to have younger leadership. Let's face it, the longer we live the more rigid we become in our viewpoints and the farther we are removed from the generations who will inherit what we wrought.
Which makes it hard for me, as a Dem, to understand why Nancy Pelosi is House Minority Leader. The DNC (all of us, for that matter), need an answer to Trump and the majority of goons making up the GOP. I don't like what I see, especially when the answers start with "Warren" and "Sanders".
And you're right, we didn't plan well for political succession. Our generation is mostly characterized by its selfishness and sense of entitlement, made possible by our parents generation - the ones who did the heavy lifting so we could prosper. For the most part, we threw that opportunity away.
I'd much prefer to have younger leadership. Let's face it, the longer we live the more rigid we become in our viewpoints and the farther we are removed from the generations who will inherit what we wrought.
Which makes it hard for me, as a Dem, to understand why Nancy Pelosi is House Minority Leader. The DNC (all of us, for that matter), need an answer to Trump and the majority of goons making up the GOP. I don't like what I see, especially when the answers start with "Warren" and "Sanders".
2
Really John M. we are blocking the upward path of our children............how I may ask? Jobs are being given to younger people because it costs less to employ them....boomers as you call us have led the way in providding an example for many new leaders to follow, the problem really is that those leaders are progressive and do not get elected by an increasingly rigid narrow minded base who gets their biased information (not news) from Fox
I would be happy to vote for a young dynamic leader who represent all of the people ... had the supreme court not voted in Citizens United and stoppped the flow of money we could havee a more diverse and dynamic group
On the other hand there is a lot to be said for experience....let's not cast aside the weath of experience that resides with our elders...unofrtunately in our country being old has little value
I would be happy to vote for a young dynamic leader who represent all of the people ... had the supreme court not voted in Citizens United and stoppped the flow of money we could havee a more diverse and dynamic group
On the other hand there is a lot to be said for experience....let's not cast aside the weath of experience that resides with our elders...unofrtunately in our country being old has little value
1
Although, for the most part, I do not agree with him politically, I fully acknowledge that John McCain has given as much to his country as any American, past or present.
I wish him the speediest recovery from his recent surgery. When he has recovered and returned to the US Senate, I would ask him to do his best to insure that any health care legislation gives to all Americans the same benefits that accrue to him.
Some of the very people he protected while he was a member of our military, still need him.
I wish him the speediest recovery from his recent surgery. When he has recovered and returned to the US Senate, I would ask him to do his best to insure that any health care legislation gives to all Americans the same benefits that accrue to him.
Some of the very people he protected while he was a member of our military, still need him.
21
Really convenient way to abrogate one's responsibilities to stand up and do the right thing.
I wish the Sen. a full and speedy recovery. I also hope that he stands up and publicly condemns this criminal erosion of protections for his fellow citizens.
I wish the Sen. a full and speedy recovery. I also hope that he stands up and publicly condemns this criminal erosion of protections for his fellow citizens.
7
You make it sound as if this is voluntary surgery. I feel the same way you do about this bill, but let's not become as cruel as Republicans in our anger.
I wish all the best for Senator McCain and hope he is well enough to return to Washington soon. Additionally, I hope his unfortunate medical circumstances reinforces that providing health insurance for infirmed human beings is different than providing insurance for automobiles. Too many Congressman over the past week have been comparing the criteria for risk pool insurance for autos with that of humans beings. Human beings get laid off, are born with pre-existing conditions, and suffer catastrophic illnesses creating financial distress through no fault of their own. These individuals need to know that they can receive compassionate, quality health care in their time of need. I ask Senator McCain and his colleagues to do what they know is morally right for the common good of society.
20
This episode reflects disgraceful reporting. Of course the "blood clot above the eye" was inside the skull and it's not at all likely that it was found on a routine check up. Reporters should have challenged the report from McCain's office from its first release. Put in perspective, this might seem minor in 3 months, but neurosurgery is always serious stuff. The media are spending too much time and energy on Trump tweets. The Senate healthcare bill is a disgraceful sop to the rich.
20
With the facts known now (pathology report not back yet, takes some days) his brain surgery was on the lower end of all brain surgeries. Kind of like the difference between a sprained ankle & one that is broken in 3 places & dislocated (my husband had that one, knew he was in trouble when he looked down at his foot & it was pointing in a direction no foot should point. But, someone could have at that point said he had a minor strain, because there was no bleeding [just luck there].). Every kind of surgery comes in a range of severity, & often surgeons start out doing a minor one that escalates into a major one when he actually gets inside the body to work. All scans are not like looking in a window, darn it.
Plus most people over 80 can expect there to be some trade-offs with surgeries like this. Some come through as good or better as they were before surgery, some don't. They can find the reason is some cases & never do in others. Kind of like a tire that only loses air when the nail in it is being pressed up by the pavement, & stops leaking when the tire/nail moves around.
Plus most people over 80 can expect there to be some trade-offs with surgeries like this. Some come through as good or better as they were before surgery, some don't. They can find the reason is some cases & never do in others. Kind of like a tire that only loses air when the nail in it is being pressed up by the pavement, & stops leaking when the tire/nail moves around.
"McCain's surgery may be more serious than thought". Anyone in the medical field recognized right away that the original description of his surgery was misleading. Above the eye doesn't mean inside the skull. While this may be anatomically correct, it minimizes the severity of his problem, and misdirected the concern. Draining a subdural hematoma under anesthesia is a significant procedure, even more so in an eighty year old. It will take more than a few days to recover and that's assuming there are no complications.
Hopefully, Mr McCain will have an uneventful recovery and have a deeper understanding of the intricacies of health care in order to understand the need for a comprehensive health plan for everyone.
Hopefully, Mr McCain will have an uneventful recovery and have a deeper understanding of the intricacies of health care in order to understand the need for a comprehensive health plan for everyone.
34
I agree with your assessment. Cutting out a portion of the skull for any reason is major surgery--even if they throw you out of the hospital forthwith.
These days, Elizabeth, they usually take the gurney from the operating room to the curb!
1
Let's hope that as he recovers, he gives some thought to others who will not be able to afford the same quality of care if Obamacare is repealed. This could be a game changer for him and them.
17
Your comment presumes that McCain hasn't already given thought to the plight of people who will be affected by this Senate bill. I'm not convinced that's an accurate assessment, and shows little regard for the seriousness of the procedure he underwent.
I am sorry to learn Sen. McCain's health is so precarious at the present time. However, we may all rest assured that as a Member of Congress, he has the most comprehensive health insurance available to him in the United States at no cost to himself, but the American taxpayer, many of whom have none.
14
No, he does not get insurance "at no cost to himself". Actually, as enacted under the ACA, members of Congress and their staff - who formerly were in the same programs as federal employees - are now required to purchase their health insurance on the exchanges, and pay about 28% of their premiums through payroll deduction.
4
've always considered McCain a reasonable man. I would like to assume that this delay is ironic and that he votes against this cruel bill. Every Republican senator should be forced to watch daily the infamous speech of Trump telling us how wonderful his new plan will be. McCain has more time than others to watch this over and over and contemplate the human and political disaster it will create.
9
I wonder if he has a $6,000 deductible like mine.
8
.......stay tuned......your $6000 deductible will be considerably higher under Trump/Cruz care.
If I am stranded on a desert island and need to perform a craaniotomy, I think I can do it after reading this article.
1
Dear John McCain,
We all wish you a speedy recovery. During this time of rest and recuperation I would like to ask that you take some time to reflect upon the excellent healthcare and top notch doctors who treated you, and the access you had to some of the best healthcare in the nation.
We the People are well aware of the wonderful health insurance you have, after all we pay for it through our tax dollars. You work for us, remember?
So the Senate is now delaying the healthcare vote until you return as apparently you are a guaranteed Yes vote. So please, take some time to think about the millions of Americans who will be hurt by the passage of this bill. What happens to them when they get a blood clot?
Thank you,
Sheila Blanchette
Wilmington, Vermont
We all wish you a speedy recovery. During this time of rest and recuperation I would like to ask that you take some time to reflect upon the excellent healthcare and top notch doctors who treated you, and the access you had to some of the best healthcare in the nation.
We the People are well aware of the wonderful health insurance you have, after all we pay for it through our tax dollars. You work for us, remember?
So the Senate is now delaying the healthcare vote until you return as apparently you are a guaranteed Yes vote. So please, take some time to think about the millions of Americans who will be hurt by the passage of this bill. What happens to them when they get a blood clot?
Thank you,
Sheila Blanchette
Wilmington, Vermont
8
The last question is the relevant one to me. How many people would be covered for this under the current ACA and with what deductible vs under the newly proposed bill. An article making this comparison would be a service to readers.
I agree there is no small irony that the vote on the worst solution to health coverage is being delayed because Senator McCain had to have brain surgery that is paid for by his Cadillac health plan. With hope, the irony will not be lost on the Senator as he considers he is still alive because of his access to the best health care while his fellow Americans risk losing what gains we have made.
The current ACA requires that surgical care be provided under all policies. The deductible would vary depending on the type of policy.
The current Senate bill would make cover for surgical care optional.
The current Senate bill would make cover for surgical care optional.
Thank god our leaders: McCain, Cheney, congressional soft ball players et al, have great care. That way they can get back to doing nothing about ours.
13
It is very uncomfortable to read paragraphs and paragraphs of surgeons' speculations about Sen. McCain's condition, then their speculations about the length of time he'll need to recover. Maybe these eminent surgeons should wait for the facts before commenting.
Sen. McCain:
The entire nation wishes you a speedy recovery and a return to full health. We expect you had good care from the doctors at Phoenix Mayo Clinic.
As you recover, please think of the millions who, prior to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, either could not afford insurance or did not qualify because of pre-existing conditions. For 70+ years, the IRS has favored employer-provided group insurance with two massive subsidies: (1) a business expense tax deduction to employers; (2) a workers' tax exemption on the value of the policies that are part of their compensation.
As a presidential candidate in 2008, you campaigned to remove the workers exemption (2 above), which would have helped level the field but at great cost to working Americans in employer plans. The pending Senate health bill cuts Medicaid as drastically as the House plan and will deny coverage to tens of millions of Americans, according to the CBO. When we say healthcare is a “right,” we mean that no American is unworthy of protection by the medical safety net.
So as you anticipate your return to the Senate, think kindly on those who will need the emergency care you did. They'll deal with hospitals whose labyrinthine billing system of charge-masters and relative value units is heavily stacked against them.
Sen. McCain, when your health is restored and you return to the people's work, a nation will look to you to do what's right and work for full health protection for all Americans.
The entire nation wishes you a speedy recovery and a return to full health. We expect you had good care from the doctors at Phoenix Mayo Clinic.
As you recover, please think of the millions who, prior to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, either could not afford insurance or did not qualify because of pre-existing conditions. For 70+ years, the IRS has favored employer-provided group insurance with two massive subsidies: (1) a business expense tax deduction to employers; (2) a workers' tax exemption on the value of the policies that are part of their compensation.
As a presidential candidate in 2008, you campaigned to remove the workers exemption (2 above), which would have helped level the field but at great cost to working Americans in employer plans. The pending Senate health bill cuts Medicaid as drastically as the House plan and will deny coverage to tens of millions of Americans, according to the CBO. When we say healthcare is a “right,” we mean that no American is unworthy of protection by the medical safety net.
So as you anticipate your return to the Senate, think kindly on those who will need the emergency care you did. They'll deal with hospitals whose labyrinthine billing system of charge-masters and relative value units is heavily stacked against them.
Sen. McCain, when your health is restored and you return to the people's work, a nation will look to you to do what's right and work for full health protection for all Americans.
12
While I do not share the Senator's political pursuasons, he is a brave and honorable man who calls them as he sees them and has a well-practiced moral compass. There should be more like him in the GOP. Godspeed, Mr, McCain.
3
Sometimes a coincidence can put things into perspective. If you are on Obamacare, there is no way you would enjoy the sort of health plan Senator McCain is currently receiving. The GOP bill is unlikely to change that.
Anyone setting national health care policy would do well to remember who pays for theirs. The debate always boils down to risk pools. The best risk pool seems to be a single risk pool, and single-payer is the elephant in the room on that. I don't see why it would have to outlaw private plans or supplemental ones.
I don't want to live in a Chris Christie world that says if you want what I got, get elected yourself.
Anyone setting national health care policy would do well to remember who pays for theirs. The debate always boils down to risk pools. The best risk pool seems to be a single risk pool, and single-payer is the elephant in the room on that. I don't see why it would have to outlaw private plans or supplemental ones.
I don't want to live in a Chris Christie world that says if you want what I got, get elected yourself.
5
Sincere best wishes for prompt and full recovery.
4
The small-minded callousness, raw anger, and vitriol in many of these comments is reprehensible.
4
"small-minded callousness, raw anger, and vitriol..." -TB
Yes, that accurately describes the GOP's action on national healthcare. Thank you.
Yes, that accurately describes the GOP's action on national healthcare. Thank you.
2
And hypocrisy takes center stage once again. And who is the stage manager? Well none other than Mitch McConnell, the proud son of Kentucky, who does not care one bit what others think of him, including his own constituents.
10
I fear a repeat of that Merrick Garland moment. McCain doesn't return. Someone is appointed to his seat by the Republican governor and the new senator votes for McConnell's bill. By hook or by crook. This is how it works these days.
10
Obviously it was reading the revised bill that triggered it. When McCain got to the part about $45 billion in opiod addiction, he complained of dizziness. Surgeons at Mayo Clinic, given their decades of Medicare overbilling experience, recommended immediate surgery and rolled him in before he could protest.
McConnell needs McCain's vote. Paul's too. Expect a new version that mirrors the house version while McCain recuperates. Nobody expected this turn of events, but what's important is, Repeal's back on track.
McConnell needs McCain's vote. Paul's too. Expect a new version that mirrors the house version while McCain recuperates. Nobody expected this turn of events, but what's important is, Repeal's back on track.
3
At least McCain won't need to worry about his healthcare costs. He has the best healthcare our tax dollars can provide. We should all be so lucky. Or to paraphrase N.J's governor when he put in beach time while his state burned, 'Get elected to federal government and you can have great healthcare too'.
12
So what's McCain's co-pay for this operation? What's the bill for the anesthetic? What does it cost at the Mayo? Who pays? What kind of Healthcare Insurance does a US Senator from Arizona have? Is it different from other folks from Arizona? Just asking . . .
10
Ironic that the fate of health care for millions of Americans hangs in the balance while Senator McCain is on medical leave, which has no limits or penalties and his medical bills will be paid for by the same Americans whose health care options are within his power.
12
I want what he has. Every American is worthy of good healthcare.
Don't be too worried about Sen. McCain, surely he receives the platinum standard of medical treatment available. Unlike the rest of us.
Don't be too worried about Sen. McCain, surely he receives the platinum standard of medical treatment available. Unlike the rest of us.
24
Everyone is saying how ironic this is - I just see it as the GOP looking for an excuse not to embarrass themselves again with a failed vote. They'd take ANY excuse to no vote on this bill that nobody seems to support.
5
As I said above, this kind of surgery is hardly voluntary. He did not decide to have a subdural hematoma to escape his duties as a senator. Let's not become as heartless as Republicans just because we're angry over Trump and his minions.
2
Thankfully Sen. McCain has the wonderful insurance the American tax providers provide for all senators--and thankfully it covers his care at one of the finest hospitals in the world. I do hope he is better quickly so that he can go back to the senate and so republicans can vote to kick 22 million Americans off a health care.
17
Remember how confused his questioning was during Comey's Senate testimony? Perhaps he is much more ill than what is being revealed.
4
Yes, I remember. It was very strange, and now that we hear that he had a subdural hematoma, it all becomes clear; this is the kind of confusion that my husband had, thirty years ago, when he suddenly, over Father's Day, developed a splitting headache that forced him to bed, and then, by the next day, had him mumbling incoherently. Luckily, being only 40, he recovered rapidly, although he couldn't drive for a year for fear of his having seizures, which are apparently very likely after braid sugery like this.
1
I send my sincere wishes for a speedy and full recovery to Senator McCain.
I also hope that he takes his time letting anyone know that his recovery has been speedy and complete. This sly old fox, once out of any danger, could hold off the vote to accomplish exactly what he said he wanted - time.
He's in favor of taking the time to fully consider and openly debate this bill, and has said so repeatedly and publicly.
At 80, and with medical professionals declaring this much more serious than we had thought, and with the stresses of his job, I think he would be more than justified in erring toward being more cautious in taking all the time he needs to make sure he is truly ready to re-enter the gladiators arena that is the U.S. Senate these days.
Other work of Congress can go on without one Senator - like passing the debt ceiling bill, and work on an infrastructure plan - both of which will have some bipartisan support if they deign to include them in the process.
Take your rest Senator McCain. You deserve it.
I also hope that he takes his time letting anyone know that his recovery has been speedy and complete. This sly old fox, once out of any danger, could hold off the vote to accomplish exactly what he said he wanted - time.
He's in favor of taking the time to fully consider and openly debate this bill, and has said so repeatedly and publicly.
At 80, and with medical professionals declaring this much more serious than we had thought, and with the stresses of his job, I think he would be more than justified in erring toward being more cautious in taking all the time he needs to make sure he is truly ready to re-enter the gladiators arena that is the U.S. Senate these days.
Other work of Congress can go on without one Senator - like passing the debt ceiling bill, and work on an infrastructure plan - both of which will have some bipartisan support if they deign to include them in the process.
Take your rest Senator McCain. You deserve it.
4
Who would ever predict (or plan for) 'ocular bleeding'?
Like most emergencies, it grabbed the Senator by surprise.
Thankfully for Sen, McCain and his family, he has good taxpayer funded group insurance that covers emergencies (a core component of insured coverage), and the Senator can count on the decent care that the richest nation in the world can provide.
We all wish him a fast recovery!
And those Americans who fear they will soon be are under or un-insured pray that they never meet this set of circumstances.
(Imagine if McCain was on the Ted Cruz Discount Junk Insurance Plan ?)
Like most emergencies, it grabbed the Senator by surprise.
Thankfully for Sen, McCain and his family, he has good taxpayer funded group insurance that covers emergencies (a core component of insured coverage), and the Senator can count on the decent care that the richest nation in the world can provide.
We all wish him a fast recovery!
And those Americans who fear they will soon be are under or un-insured pray that they never meet this set of circumstances.
(Imagine if McCain was on the Ted Cruz Discount Junk Insurance Plan ?)
21
The irony that Mr. McCain's medical care would bankrupt a large percentage of Americans if they were in his position flies in the face of a nation allegedly standing together. How can he as our representative, or other fair witnesses, support such inequality in this illuminating moment?
13
McCain is a war hero and I wish him a full and speedy recovery. But no one can miss the irony here that he is delaying a vote on health care while he recovers using his world class benefits. Please, Senator, get well soon and then vote to kill this measure that will take health care away from millions.
38
Too many uninformed people here making cheap political points at the expense of a man who has dedicated his life to true public service.
Get well soon.
Get well soon.
13
Well said. John McCain is a good, honorable man and a voice of reason during treacherous times. I hope he recovers quickly. I suspect he will - he is a survivor!
51
These aren't cheap "political points." They simply point to the irony that the health care of 10's of millions of ordinary Americans may rest on the vote of Sen. McCain, who has the greatest of health care coverage in this country.
7
A survivor who will vote YES to throw so many under the bus. Just wait and see.
1
The Senator probably takes for granted his highly subsidized premium healthcare coverage.
He doesn't have to worry about him or his family going bankrupt over the cost of this medical emergency.
He doesn't have to worry about his medical insurance company dropping him at renewal because he now has a pre-existing condition.
He doesn't have to worry about huge deductibles and co-pays.
He doesn't have to worry about his insurance premiums sky rocketing at the next renewal.
He doesn't have worry about losing his medical insurance at all!!!
He doesn't have to worry about him or his family going bankrupt over the cost of this medical emergency.
He doesn't have to worry about his medical insurance company dropping him at renewal because he now has a pre-existing condition.
He doesn't have to worry about huge deductibles and co-pays.
He doesn't have to worry about his insurance premiums sky rocketing at the next renewal.
He doesn't have worry about losing his medical insurance at all!!!
20
We need McCain to continue to challenge Trump. He doesn't go as far as I would like him to, but he questions stupid decisions, sticks up for the members of the Armed Services and criticizes Trump for some of his most vulgar behavior. We need McCain. I hope he recovers quickly.
166
I agree. We need to wait for him to be well. This man had given a lot to our country. Let's not forget that. He will stand for thoughtful responses. He is not going to be led by malevolent leaders like Mitch. Yes, I know he has great health care that we have given; perhaps this unfortunate medical problem will bring our point to him as he faces medical problems.
He makes tepidly critical comments to even the most outrageous of Trump's actions, but actually does nothing then. Have you heard of him trying to convince his fellow senators to stand up to this man ruining our country? Didn't think so. Has he voted against him? No. Obviously he is planning to vote yes onthe health care bill. He likes to burnish his "maverick" credentials, apparently, but it is not sincere or serious opposition to the train wreck he knows very well (like all the other so-called mainstream Republicans) that Trump is heading us into.
Not the way he votes, however. Those who come to the "mike" to make encouraging statements and go back and vote the party line, are cowardly hypocrites.
1
In case any Republican reads these comments, I wish to add mine to the list. That Sen McCain has insurance for his care is a good thing. Should not all Americans have the same. Our Congress treats itself to the best in everything. Where is its concern for those who voted the members into office? Balancing the nation's budget should begin elsewhere.
17
How many people in the US could not afford to have the surgery that McCain just had?
9
Gosh... An unexpected need for urgent medical care? Good thing Senator McCain had health insurance!
I wonder if he'll keep his own experience in mind when he returns to Washington D.C. to vote on a bill that would take away health insurance from more than 20 million Americans.
I wonder if he'll keep his own experience in mind when he returns to Washington D.C. to vote on a bill that would take away health insurance from more than 20 million Americans.
10
I wish Senator McCain a speedy recovery. I've had a craniotomy but I was in my 50's. I'm sure he is as motivated to return to work as I was but he should take the time to recover before returning. He's a good man and I hope that he can continue to serve his country. We need him.
Joe
Joe
5
It's a good thing that Mr. McCain has such good health care.
12
I hope McCain's recovery goes well.
It seems a little ironic, that the vote is postponed until his return after having access to the very cushy health insurance provided to congress. I don't even think McConnell is aware.
It seems a little ironic, that the vote is postponed until his return after having access to the very cushy health insurance provided to congress. I don't even think McConnell is aware.
8
I can suggest an answer:
"I don't know why political staff do this so automatically--i.e., underplay medical conditions and distort information in various ways."
If one is prominent on Capitol Hill because one works for a prominent Senator and former Presidential candidate, and one anticipates that one's prominence might soon end because that prominent Senator and former Presidential candidate might soon die or retire, might one be tempted to "underplay...and distort information" about that Senator's medical condition?
"I don't know why political staff do this so automatically--i.e., underplay medical conditions and distort information in various ways."
If one is prominent on Capitol Hill because one works for a prominent Senator and former Presidential candidate, and one anticipates that one's prominence might soon end because that prominent Senator and former Presidential candidate might soon die or retire, might one be tempted to "underplay...and distort information" about that Senator's medical condition?
2
I glad his Free surgery, Best hospital possible and Top of the line doctors without any wait time has helped him survive: he is a capable public servant and Vietnam hero.
When he realizes that his 1% status does not apply to the rest of us, maybe he will join the rest of the western senators and Governors and vote to end this charade.
When he realizes that his 1% status does not apply to the rest of us, maybe he will join the rest of the western senators and Governors and vote to end this charade.
8
Wishing Senator McCain a speedy recovery. And wondering how his medical insurance coverage and access to good treatment at a Mayo Clinic in Arizona compares to the options provided by ACA, AHCA and other group health plans.
7
His insurance is part of the ACA.He pays 28% payroll deduction every month for his insurance. All the Senators are on the ACA.
1
"I doubt he'd vote for this bill anyway..."
Do you really think Mitch McConnell would have put this bill up to a vote without knowing ahead of time how each Senator would vote?
Possibly McCain's surgery has been a "Whew!" moment for McConnell -- i.e. he really didn't have the votes lined up for this bill, and thus would have delayed a vote even if McCain had not become ill. I doubt McConnell will ever tell us, but that thought has occurred to me (and, I'll wager, many others).
But if McConnell HAD held a vote, there's no real question that McCain would have voted "Yes." With Paul and Collins already in the "No" column, McConnell would have ended up with a 50-50 vote even WITH McCain's vote (a tie that VP Pence would have broken). The very last thing McConnell would have wanted was a 51-49 vote against his bill (and, again, McConnell would know precisely how each Senator would vote before the vote was held).
Do you really think Mitch McConnell would have put this bill up to a vote without knowing ahead of time how each Senator would vote?
Possibly McCain's surgery has been a "Whew!" moment for McConnell -- i.e. he really didn't have the votes lined up for this bill, and thus would have delayed a vote even if McCain had not become ill. I doubt McConnell will ever tell us, but that thought has occurred to me (and, I'll wager, many others).
But if McConnell HAD held a vote, there's no real question that McCain would have voted "Yes." With Paul and Collins already in the "No" column, McConnell would have ended up with a 50-50 vote even WITH McCain's vote (a tie that VP Pence would have broken). The very last thing McConnell would have wanted was a 51-49 vote against his bill (and, again, McConnell would know precisely how each Senator would vote before the vote was held).
4
Senator McConnel, what happens if the unthinkable happens and Senator McCain is unable to take up his seat in the Senate? Will we not have a health care vote?
3
I haven't checked, but I assume Arizona has a Republican governor, who presumably would appoint a Republican to replace McCain. So the outcome of any vote would be the same either way. More important, I think, are (1) the question of whether McConnell really was planning to put this bill up for a vote this week, and thus views the McCain illness as a "dodge the bullet" moment; and (2) the question of whether the delay will weaken McConnell's chances of getting 50 Senators to vote "yes."
Whatever may be the answers to those two more-important questions, there's little doubt in my mind that (a) McCain would have voted "yes" if a vote were held this week; and (b) his replacement will be even more likely to vote "yes" if and when a vote is held.
Whatever may be the answers to those two more-important questions, there's little doubt in my mind that (a) McCain would have voted "yes" if a vote were held this week; and (b) his replacement will be even more likely to vote "yes" if and when a vote is held.
1
Or, what is the position of the Arizona governor on that state's Medicaid? Might the governor appoint someone who would vote to retain what it has?
Why, with all the bile and frankly disgustingly political commentary we are seeing in this opinion section, can't we as a country simply wish this great American-who after all has played such a major roll in our history for the last 50 years and who sacrificed so much for our country in order to get to the point that he could do so- a complication free recovery. Lets try putting politics aside for a few moments and say a simple, 'God speed'
9
Yeah, the great American who would have put Palin a heartbeat from the Oval Office.
5
Sir, the hypocrisy of the GOP is disgusting and the comments you don't seem to like are worth saying. If you don't like criticism, turn on Fox and Friends.
6
I honestly do wish him a full and speedy recovery. He has served this country well -- with one exception -- his choice of a completely unqualified running mate in 2008 - which is now considered to have paved the way for a Trump candidacy.
2
Term limits. Now.
7
And taxpayer-funded elections.
6
Term limits? We already have them. They're called "elections."
1
Best wishes to Senator McCain for a rapid and full recovery. He is one of the few remaining senators in the GOP with a true sense of honor that saves him from the often dogmatic thinking rampant in the GOP these days.
2
Lots of things to be concerned about here, first of all, Sen. McCain himself. Recovering from brain surgery is no joke. But adding to the worry about his health is the idea that McConnell has delayed the vote on the AHCA so that McCain may be present in chambers when he's better and ....vote Yes on the thing!! McConnell must know McCain is a yes vote. Unbelievable. If he comes back from this experience, having received the kind of top-notch health care that millions and millions of us only dream of, and votes to pass the bill-- it will be shocking. if he does, i'm afraid i'll have zero hope for humanity.
552
Have you not been following along? We can count on JM to point out inconsistencies and unfairnesses in many a proposed bill, including the current health care bill-- just as we can count on him to vote with his party when his party needs him, which is always, in the current Senate (do the math and subtract the ones who've already come out). The party needs him for this vote. A non-vote is a Nay. He will vote Yea.
Feel free to still have hope for Humanity. Just don't expect that hope to become manifest in the US any time soon.
Your assumption that McConnell's delay because McCain is a yes vote could be wrong. It may simply be a delay tactic to work on getting the votes needed.
1
I wish him all the best. One of the very few Republicans with the integrity to put country before party.
1
Most times. But his choice of Palin was not putting country first. She was and is completely unqualified to have been VP or potentially have to fill in as President. She has no intellectual curiosity -and sadly we are seeing now what happens to our country when we put into office someone with bluster but no interest in the people in this country and no intellectual curiosity to improve himself.
2
I will never forget the basic decency of this man. The one memory that sticks out in my mind above all others is the time he took the microphone from the lady who was accusing Obama of being a Muslim and a terrorist during the 2008 campaign and defended his political opponent. THAT speaks volumes about Senator McCain's integrity. The current occupant of the White House probably would have egged her on. Again, I wish Senator McCain a speedy recovery.
2
I certainly can't argue with you there! I agree that Palin was a terrible choice. If he had chosen someone who was in the least bit qualified, we may very well have had a President McCain instead of a President Obama. As you said though, unfortunately in my opinion, the country didn't use those same standards in the 2016 election.
Oh please!
"We can disagree with his politics, but here is a guy who has spent his life in public service. Let's wish him the best..."
I agree with the last part -- let's wish him the best -- but let's not make a silk purse out of a sow's ear while we're at it. While Trump was wrong to say "I prefer soldiers who DON'T get captured," McCain's supporters have also been wrong to argue he was a "hero" BECAUSE he was captured. Getting captured doesn't make a soldier a hero (or eliminate that possibility); it just means he got captured.
Getting back to reality for just a minute, McCain was the "frat boy" son of a top Navy admiral who became a fighter pilot, behaved badly while he was a fighter pilot (not when he got captured, to be sure, but McCain was very close to being disciplined before he got captured, for irresponsible and dangerous behavior), and became a politician when he was released because he knew he could easily get elected by exploiting his much-publicized Vietnam "heroism." It didn't hurt his political career when he married an extremely wealthy Arizona woman.
We should -- and I do -- wish McCain a full and speedy recovery. But let's not let a blood clot above his left eye add to his already-undeserved "heroism."
"We can disagree with his politics, but here is a guy who has spent his life in public service. Let's wish him the best..."
I agree with the last part -- let's wish him the best -- but let's not make a silk purse out of a sow's ear while we're at it. While Trump was wrong to say "I prefer soldiers who DON'T get captured," McCain's supporters have also been wrong to argue he was a "hero" BECAUSE he was captured. Getting captured doesn't make a soldier a hero (or eliminate that possibility); it just means he got captured.
Getting back to reality for just a minute, McCain was the "frat boy" son of a top Navy admiral who became a fighter pilot, behaved badly while he was a fighter pilot (not when he got captured, to be sure, but McCain was very close to being disciplined before he got captured, for irresponsible and dangerous behavior), and became a politician when he was released because he knew he could easily get elected by exploiting his much-publicized Vietnam "heroism." It didn't hurt his political career when he married an extremely wealthy Arizona woman.
We should -- and I do -- wish McCain a full and speedy recovery. But let's not let a blood clot above his left eye add to his already-undeserved "heroism."
6
McCain is a hero because he acted heroically under years of brutal confinement and torture by the North Vietnamese.
2
@MyThreeCents: Because of his father's high rank, North Vietnam offered to free McCain soon after his capture, if memory serves. McCain refused because his fellow POWs did not have the same family connections. McCain suffered through years of brutality that still affects him to this day.
I am no great fan of John McCain's. But I do respect his service and his act of great selflessness and loyalty.
I am no great fan of John McCain's. But I do respect his service and his act of great selflessness and loyalty.
4
Right on point. I am an enlisted Navy (65-69) veteran and a retired prosecuting federal attorney. I have been one of McCain's constituents since he was first elected to the House in 1982.
Having attended many of his town hall meetings since then, and questioned him, I can attest to the fact that in addition to not being a hero, he is no statesman. In this regard, shortly after the Sandy Hook shooting, I was at a town hall meeting at which a survivor of the Gabby Giffords' shooting, Pat Maisch and the mother of a victim of the Aurora theater massacre were in attendance.
Both identified themselves as constituents and told their personal stories about gun violence they then asked McCain (at different times during the meeting) if he would support background checks and a ban on assault weapons in the legislation that was being considered.
His identical response to both women was disgraceful, coming as it did from an elected public servant. No compassion no kind words of sympathy, he simply stated, "I'm gonna' give you some straight talk, it's not gonna' pass." Any respect I may have had for McCain vanished that day.
Anyone who has served in the Navy knows that graduating at the bottom of his Naval Academy class, like McCain did, he would never have been selected for flight school had his father and grandfather served as CINCPAC.
Since his first election, McCain has always viewed himself, not as an elected public servant, but as a celebrity. Disgraceful!
J
Having attended many of his town hall meetings since then, and questioned him, I can attest to the fact that in addition to not being a hero, he is no statesman. In this regard, shortly after the Sandy Hook shooting, I was at a town hall meeting at which a survivor of the Gabby Giffords' shooting, Pat Maisch and the mother of a victim of the Aurora theater massacre were in attendance.
Both identified themselves as constituents and told their personal stories about gun violence they then asked McCain (at different times during the meeting) if he would support background checks and a ban on assault weapons in the legislation that was being considered.
His identical response to both women was disgraceful, coming as it did from an elected public servant. No compassion no kind words of sympathy, he simply stated, "I'm gonna' give you some straight talk, it's not gonna' pass." Any respect I may have had for McCain vanished that day.
Anyone who has served in the Navy knows that graduating at the bottom of his Naval Academy class, like McCain did, he would never have been selected for flight school had his father and grandfather served as CINCPAC.
Since his first election, McCain has always viewed himself, not as an elected public servant, but as a celebrity. Disgraceful!
J
3
Of course McCain's surgery is more serious than is being reported. Anyone who viewed McCain's incoherent ramblings during Comey's hearing wondered if he was either affected by some age-related loss of cognition, had medication-induced impairment, or (if you're a worst caser like me) he had a brain tumor. Either way, this guy's been making terrible decisions since 2008. Let's just hope he isn't coerced into making a fatal vote before his inevitable special election.
5
“Usually, a blood clot like this is discovered when patients have symptoms, whether it’s a seizure or headaches or weakness or speech difficulties,” Dr. Baxi said. “Generally, it’s not found on a routine physical because doctors would not know to look for it.”
I wish Senator McCain a speedy and complete recovery. And I applaud his medical team for discovering this blood clot. That being said, I have to ask myself if the Senator's doctors took extra care and a more thorough routine physical examination because he is a U.S. Senator. Once the GOP's revised healthcare plan is passed, I fear the average American will not be as lucky
as Senator McCain should a similar situation arise in his/her case. Would one of his/her doctors find such a life threatening blood clot during a "routine physical"? I kind of doubt it. I think ALL Americans should receive equal medical treatment and consideration, regardless of their status being a politician or Joe the plumber.
11
I'm afraid that when McCain retires we will see an extreme right-wing senator from Arizona.
1
What if? McCain was an unemployed decorated veteran with the same health problem but no health insurance or service connected disability to qualify for VA hospital care to pay for his care?
Is the US Senate unable to function if only one of its members (of the Republican Party) is unable to vote?
I wish Senator McCain a full and uneventful recovery.
What if his recovery is delayed or complicated?
Everyone needs health insurance. Medicare for All, on time, every time, for everyone!
Is the US Senate unable to function if only one of its members (of the Republican Party) is unable to vote?
I wish Senator McCain a full and uneventful recovery.
What if his recovery is delayed or complicated?
Everyone needs health insurance. Medicare for All, on time, every time, for everyone!
15
At age 80, the hypothetical person in your question would already have Medicare coverage
1
My apology. I meant to describe the hypothetical veteran as a man in his 50's.
Still, your comment confirms my point. Medicare for All would cover the cost of needed care.
Still, your comment confirms my point. Medicare for All would cover the cost of needed care.
As soon as I read about "a blood clot above the left eye," I suspected we were being subjected to "medical spin" generated by political aides. I don't know why political staff do this so automatically--i.e., underplay medical conditions and distort information in various ways. Wouldn't it be refreshing, one day, simply to have openness and honesty from politicians' communications offices?
8
A speedy recovery, although the irony here is that he will go back to work to vote to take away from millions of Americans the top-notch health care he enjoys on our dime.
956
Don't believe the fake news on how many might lose healthcare. In those estimates are 4 million who would withdraw from Medicare (why would they) and at least 8 million who would by their own choice stop paying premiums for insurance that they cannot use due to high copays. My Obamacare premium last year was 1,200 per month with $5,000 deductible because I earned just over $64k as a married couple. $14k after tax dollars per year, more like $18k gross pay, 1/4 of my income for premiums and still no coverage until I spend $5k more. That is not insurance I can afford!
1
Insurance. We need to stop saying "taking away health care" when we really mean "insurance." There's a world of difference between actually having health care and having a high deductible insurance policy.
Mr. McCain does not need our dime since he is extremely wealthy.
I wish for him to recover fully and lead a healthy life once again. However, it's been clear for awhile that Mr. McCain no longer has the mental capacity to effectively carry out his duties as a senator. His questioning of Mr. Comey makes that very clear. It is time he ends his political career.
7
I just want to say what I'm sure tens of millions of Americans would say: Godspeed, John McCain. You are a good man who put your love of country into action every day of your life, and we love you back.
Not sure why there is a comment section on this article, however. It is easy, and ultimately cheap, to use this opportunity to make a political point.
Not sure why there is a comment section on this article, however. It is easy, and ultimately cheap, to use this opportunity to make a political point.
6
While I wish Senator McCain a speedy recovery, I think it's time to address the question of aging law-makers. At 80 years old, with health problems, it's time for him to retire, especially if his performance in the Comey hearings was related to this.
12
Every American deserves the same quality healthcare available to Senator McCain. There are those working two and three jobs to support their families, do these people deserve less? They work harder and earn less, why should they, or you for that matter, settle for crumbs. More to the point, who are these men and women to offer crumbs? It's up to you, the voter, to reverse these roles.
6
Well thank goodness he has taxpayer provided gold plated health coverage.
8
No well wishes from The White House on Sen. McCain's recovery? Six months into his administration and this White House is a disorganized mess. Or as Trump would say " a disaster! ".
6
Any irony in the fact that if McCain makes a full recovery he can be instrumental in taking healthcare away from millions of Americans? Glad McCain has access to great medical care.
9
I hope he gets to take advantage of our great healthcare system! (sarcasm)
6
I guess this would partly explain John McCain's strange line of questioning at the Comey hearing.
3
Get well, John McCain
2
I wish a full and 'not so speedy recovery' because without McCain they do not have the votes in the Senate to pass this horrid and mean, repeal and replace health care bill. The longer the bill takes to come to a vote, everyone will have a fuller understanding that this is just an 'anything' to make Mr. Trump look like he has done something, besides play golf and tweet for the past five months.
They will do everything and anything possible to destroy Obama's legacy whether it is good or not. And we complain our President acts immaturely, impulsively and vindictively, well it appears to be a common lingering trait in all the Republican party.
I wish these people would understand, we want the same health care we GIVE them, which they quite frankly do not deserve or have earned.
They will do everything and anything possible to destroy Obama's legacy whether it is good or not. And we complain our President acts immaturely, impulsively and vindictively, well it appears to be a common lingering trait in all the Republican party.
I wish these people would understand, we want the same health care we GIVE them, which they quite frankly do not deserve or have earned.
14
How nice that he is able to have his operation using the healthcare my tax dollars pay for, yet he has no care for anyone else's plight. Interesting........
10
Although I always (unjustifiably) feared that Senator McCain was a Manchurian Candidate after the years of captivity in North Vietnam, I wish him wholeheartedly speedy and full recovery, and return to his position of eminence grise in the Republican nest.
1
One of the few Republicans with a sense of honor, and unfortunately, one of the few with any sense of patriotism. I wish him luck.
7
McCain is a vote for the health-don't-care bill, and McConnell cannot afford to lose it. He will wait for McCain as long as he must.
Best wishes McCain.
Best wishes McCain.
2
"McCain’s Comprehensive Taxpayer-Funded Healthcare Insurance May Be More Serious Than The Fake, Phony Insurance He and the GOP Are Selling To The America People, Experts Say"
63
@Socrates,
Thank you for your clever cynicism.
Thank you for your clever cynicism.
2
I rarely agree with Senator McCain's politics, but I do respect him, and regard him as a more reasonable Republican who is willing to put party aside for the good of the country. I wish him as comfortable a recovery as possible.
12
This may explain his bizarre line of questioning at that hearing with Comey.. It sounded like a neurological issue at the time, given his confused and disjointed line of questions, and this seems to support that hypothesis.
12
It seems unlikely he would be allowed to fly for quite some time, which is true for many surgeries. I do wish him a speedy recovery. This bill, any bill, can wait. Personal health comes first, which is ironic in this case, although I doubt he'd vote for this bill anyway. Still, his voice will be missed.
1
Are we so pitiful that we must debate the brain surgery of a senator in the desperate hope that he will return to vote in the Senate and save or scuttle the healthcare bill? What if he is "affected" by the surgery? Will the deciding vote on the bill by a senator whose judgment may have been compromised be challenged by the losing side? Is this really what we have come to?
Yes, it is. Our last election was compromised and the losers, myself included, have not gotten over that fact and probably never will, especially coming so soon after the Bush/Gore debacle. Two popular vote elections lost to the electoral college in less than 20 years, a significant legislative vote rests on a single, ill senator, and the legitimacy of the next census, per an article in this paper, is uncertain do to an unscrupulous executive branch. What a way to run a democracy.
Perhaps it is time to give up the title and admit we are no longer, by design, a democratic republic. There is more than one way to stage a coup. How does the United GOP States of America sound? Truthful, if not inspirational.
I cannot escape the belief, that our president craved the title, but not the job (very, very boring) which explains the turmoil in which we find ourselves immersed today.
Yes, it is. Our last election was compromised and the losers, myself included, have not gotten over that fact and probably never will, especially coming so soon after the Bush/Gore debacle. Two popular vote elections lost to the electoral college in less than 20 years, a significant legislative vote rests on a single, ill senator, and the legitimacy of the next census, per an article in this paper, is uncertain do to an unscrupulous executive branch. What a way to run a democracy.
Perhaps it is time to give up the title and admit we are no longer, by design, a democratic republic. There is more than one way to stage a coup. How does the United GOP States of America sound? Truthful, if not inspirational.
I cannot escape the belief, that our president craved the title, but not the job (very, very boring) which explains the turmoil in which we find ourselves immersed today.
563
Excellent post.
2
Conveniently forgetting the fact that Obamacare was rushed through because Kennedy had passed and they needed the vote before his elected replacement could be sworn in.
1
He wanted the attention, not the job. The job is work and it keeps a person in the White House actually working long hours. The Donald is a part-time job at best and can be set aside at a whim.
2
Gosh, it's really lucky for Senator McCain that we pay for his exceptional and for-life health insurance. We should be so lucky. And I mean that literally. Why isn't Congress talking about cutting their own expensive coverage?
56
Thank you
2
McCain has served this country, long and hard duty, and demonstrated bravery and self-sacrifice. Held for over five years by North Vietnam, tortured, yet refusing an offer of release that would leave his fellow imprisoned Americans behind.
What have you done but whine?
"have you left no sense of decency?"
What have you done but whine?
"have you left no sense of decency?"
2
Many commenters seem not to know that all members of Congress are required to choose among Obamacare plans that are available to the public. (McCain being 80 years old, of course, he's been on Medicare for quite some time.)
Though I wish McCain a full and speedy recovery, I've never thought much of him. Trump was way off base to say he prefers soldiers who DON'T get captured, McCain's booster have also been off base for equating getting captured with heroism.
I'd never vote for McCain, for at least four reasons:
1. I've almost never agreed with him on anything.
2. He's never struck me as being terribly bright or wise.
3. I don't live in Arizona -- never have and never will.
4. When McCain ran for President in 2008 and responded to the question: "How many houses do you own?" with "I don't know," I vowed I'd never vote for a candidate who couldn't remember how many houses he owned. (To his "credit," though, McCain owned so many houses -- roughly 15, as I recall -- that he might be forgiven for not remembering the exact number.
Though I wish McCain a full and speedy recovery, I've never thought much of him. Trump was way off base to say he prefers soldiers who DON'T get captured, McCain's booster have also been off base for equating getting captured with heroism.
I'd never vote for McCain, for at least four reasons:
1. I've almost never agreed with him on anything.
2. He's never struck me as being terribly bright or wise.
3. I don't live in Arizona -- never have and never will.
4. When McCain ran for President in 2008 and responded to the question: "How many houses do you own?" with "I don't know," I vowed I'd never vote for a candidate who couldn't remember how many houses he owned. (To his "credit," though, McCain owned so many houses -- roughly 15, as I recall -- that he might be forgiven for not remembering the exact number.
24
Don't forget the infliction of Sarah Palin on the Country.
6
McCain's wife owned the houses through her side's family business.
1
Sending prayers for Senator John McCain and well wishes too. Hope he recovers quickly and all politics aside it's never quite the same without two parties the Democrats and Republicans. Especially, when it comes to providing experience such as John McCain and his service during the Vietnam War.
3
My sincere best wishes for a full recovery go to Senator McCain. I hope he is comfortable and healing well. That said, the People's business cannot be postponed due to the illness of one of one hundred senators.
211
Our system of governing is broken.
One man can stop a nominee for the Supreme Court from receiving a hearing let alone a vote. One man controls the writing of a so called Health Care Bill. One man can stop a Senate procedure to vote on a bill.
One man is recovering from surgery.
One man, any man, should not have the power to disrupt or misdirect the conduct of the nations business, the business of we the people.
One man can stop a nominee for the Supreme Court from receiving a hearing let alone a vote. One man controls the writing of a so called Health Care Bill. One man can stop a Senate procedure to vote on a bill.
One man is recovering from surgery.
One man, any man, should not have the power to disrupt or misdirect the conduct of the nations business, the business of we the people.
4
Oh yes it can! Take your time, Senator, take a long time to recuperate.
2
Unfortunately, our Senate and House rarely do the "People's business" anymore. They mostly do the business of the Koch brothers and the Mercer family.
3
We wish McCain the best for his recovery. He should ponder the surfeit of quality expertise, decision-making and technical capability that guided his treatment. How would he feel if he were not so well advised/informed? If 'personal responsibility' started from a less privileged position? What if he had to go out and find the low bidder for his procedure in the healthcare marketplace?
14
I certainly hope for John McCain's full recovery but can't ignore the clear intersections between his health status and the limitations incorporated into the Senate and House health care policy proposals. Placed in the role of a private U.S. citizen, Mr. McCain would, like many, face the prospect of bankruptcy, or denial of coverage, for his condition. When he's back on his feed, I hope he weighs that fact in casting his vote.
11
Would the Senator have gotten this same level of care if he had some of the new DonTcare being promoted by his party?
14
I believe he would, the Senate and the house generally exempt themselves from cuts to the rest of us.
2
He would have gotten BETTER care, because ObamaCare costs so much and has such high deductibles that it is very hard for people like you or I to afford such a surgery.
Typical ObamaCare plan for Family would be over $1000/month and $5000 deductible.
Typical ObamaCare plan for Family would be over $1000/month and $5000 deductible.
80-year-old McCain can obviously afford this kind of surgery. An average American - of any age - likely cannot. Why?
28
Comments like these reflect why we aren't having a productive debate on healthcare issues. It's safe to say that the "average American" would have no problem getting this surgery as the average American does have some type of health insurance. Certainly the average 80 year old who would be on Medicare.
2
The answer preferred by every other advanced nation is to adopt single-payer. Here in Canada, health care, though still expensive, is much cheaper than in the USA and much more democratic. Case in point: a family member was diagnosed with a subdural tumor. From diagnosis to a complete cure, six weeks. Cost to my family? Not a nickel. And so it would be for any Canadian. I just hope the Dems have the courage to move in that direction next time they have the power to do so.
4
As someone who has worked in the field of rehabilitation for years, the initial press report seemed very strange. Now, to hear that he had a craniotomy to remove what sounds like a fairly large blood clot, this is an entirely different deal. As a fairly suspicious person, it makes me wonder about his somewhat weird questioning earlier this year (Comey's hearing, maybe?) The Mayo Clinic, in the past, has refused to "under-report" diagnoses for politicians (Humphrey's cancer is one example), so I hope that we can continue to count on their honestly. I hope for the best for Senator McCain, get well soon.
13
I would think that an explanation of the medical insurance status of senators would be of interest to Americans, and to others. If under 65, do they have to buy their insurance on the market? Or is there a single payer system available for them? Or, are they, god forbid, subjected to the curse of socialized medicine?
7
Having McCain in the senate is more serious than thought as well. Time he retire, he's done enough damage for one man.
10
I wonder if in a display of courage and leadership, senator McCain is requesting to have the same medical coverage that they want the rest of us to have.
16
The only way the GOP would postpone the vote is if McCain was a lock to vote yes. They cannot afford to lose a single yes vote, and if he had already indicated that he would vote no, they would have rushed the vote without him. If only this surgery presents McCain with new insight into the plight of everyday people. We need him to vote no.
13
Senators do know the value of good health care, Mayo Clinic, for themselves.
11
....Good thing he has a good (tax payer funded) health plan (free) otherwise he may have been out of luck with the proposed plan
14
My prayers for a full recovery for you senator. And also prying that after receiving the care and treatment you've thinking about that it would be great fir all Americans to get the same care.
28
McCain owes Trump and McConnell nothing.
A prolonged convalescence would be good for him and the country.
Anyone who thinks an 80 year old who underwent general anesthesia, had a piece of his skull removed, the dura incised, a clot aspirated, the dura sewed up, the piece of skull replaced and secured with a titaniumm plate that is screwed in and thinks in a week the patient will be up at at 'em is using magical thinking.
McConnell is blowing a smoke screen.
A prolonged convalescence would be good for him and the country.
Anyone who thinks an 80 year old who underwent general anesthesia, had a piece of his skull removed, the dura incised, a clot aspirated, the dura sewed up, the piece of skull replaced and secured with a titaniumm plate that is screwed in and thinks in a week the patient will be up at at 'em is using magical thinking.
McConnell is blowing a smoke screen.
88
McConnell is far from the brightest. He might actually be dumb enough to think he can know of McCain that, "he'll be back with us soon." but most know better. Why they would refer to McCain's surgery as "...minimally invasive craniotomy..." is crazy. No procedure that involves drilling a hole in a living human head should ever be labeled "minimally invasive" or certainly never in MY head. Melanoma is a very bad boy.
Get well soon Senator McCain. Also, thank you for providing the escape the Republicans needed from their terrible healthcare bill.
13
Waiting for John McCain the maverick to return? No, we know McCain always towed the line when push came to shove. No courage in the Republican Party anywhere.
14
If McCain is replaced the new senator will be a Teump robot.
Democrats abikity to keep their eye on the ball is zero.
Democrats abikity to keep their eye on the ball is zero.
1
I thought only Dr. Casey could utter the sinister Dx "sub-dural hematoma."
Fake news from the world of neurosurgery.
Fake news from the world of neurosurgery.
2
Lindsay Graham is very happy.
He’s now the top NeverTrumper the media will go to for their anti-Trump sound-bite of the day.
He’s now the top NeverTrumper the media will go to for their anti-Trump sound-bite of the day.
3
Now, if only the country could get that clot over the presidency removed.
64
The article makes no mention of the possibility that this may be a result of the brutal treatment he received while a POW. I hope not; he has endured enough as a result of that. Too many of our fellow service people endure the lasting effects of their service to our country took on their bodies and mind. That is one of the reasons we need a functional and fully funded VA and not some ill conceived "for profit" privatized affair.
11
Yes, when I read about Sen McCain's history of melanoma I had the same thought. Best wishes to him for a speedy recovery.
Ironically Mr MCain will get Much Better HealthCare than more than 60%+Plus of the country. ...Sadly most of his Colleagues will Not Recognize such Fact.
11
I hope that Sen. McCain AND HIS COLLEAGUES reflect on the potential impact this type of medical event could have NOT just on an uninsured family...but on anUNDER insured family.
And on a separate note...thanks for the medical lessons, but a tad overkill...especially considering it's speculation. Maybe launch into the gory details once you know what's actually going on and then if it's relevant to the story?
And on a separate note...thanks for the medical lessons, but a tad overkill...especially considering it's speculation. Maybe launch into the gory details once you know what's actually going on and then if it's relevant to the story?
6
McCain has good health government-sponsored coverage, he doesn't need to worry. Once he recovers, he can join the rest of the Republicans and make sure nobody else gets the quality of coverage he enjoys.
23
Remember: There is no republican in either body of Congress that won their seat on by running on their record of accomplishment. Instead they won by spending millions of special-interest and radical-PAC dollars to trash their opponents. Their only promises were to destroy Obama and everything associated with him.
This garbage government should be no surprise.
This garbage government should be no surprise.
17
a simple fix missed again by our feckless pol heads and incompetent journalists
i.e. just have rand paul declare a positive vote for mc cain and lets move on with the debate QED
i.e. just have rand paul declare a positive vote for mc cain and lets move on with the debate QED
Interesting how much words matter, Removing a blood clot over the eye sounds far less alarming than brain surgery, which is what this was. They opened his skull. Despite McCaine's joking, he was confused and rambling at an all important public hearing. So yes probably symptoms.
OH the irony of the republicans no-health bill being tabled for brain surgery, paid for by Medicare and what I would presume is a generous taxpayer supplied supplement. No caps or co pays or deductibles in sight. McCains wife wasn't called into billing to discuss the balance owed after insurance.
OH the irony of the republicans no-health bill being tabled for brain surgery, paid for by Medicare and what I would presume is a generous taxpayer supplied supplement. No caps or co pays or deductibles in sight. McCains wife wasn't called into billing to discuss the balance owed after insurance.
48
I sure hope Senator McCain recovers. He's the only member of the Senate with even an ounce of independence.
2
Sorry, but not as much as an ounce.
Not even a gram.
No person who caucuses with the Republicans can claim to be independent on any matter of public interest. They're all "good soldiers" who goose-step in formation and ultimately obey their orders.
Not even a gram.
No person who caucuses with the Republicans can claim to be independent on any matter of public interest. They're all "good soldiers" who goose-step in formation and ultimately obey their orders.
8
Let's that hope everything turns out well for John McCain, and he is probably pretty grateful he doesn't have the type of phony healthcare bill that Mitch McConnell, Ted Cruz and Donald Trump is trying to force on the elderly and people who depend on the ACA.
15
McCain probably is grateful to have first rate health coverage and care.
Too bad McCain has so little concern for the ordinary American who are not as privileged.
Too bad McCain has so little concern for the ordinary American who are not as privileged.
2
All the best to this hero and a gentleman and a very noble person. He refused early release as a POA because his fellow soldiers would not be released.
But it is time now to ask who paid for his surgery and who is going to pay for his prolonged care?
If it was Joe the plumber or the carpenter from Main St, Anytown, USA working day and night having a skimpy insurance or having no insurance like millions of other Americans, what his mental agony would be like to face medical bills running in thousands or deductibles running in thousands.
This should be soul searching time for Republicans whose only policy is to obstruct and survival of the fittest, the old fashioned way,
But it is time now to ask who paid for his surgery and who is going to pay for his prolonged care?
If it was Joe the plumber or the carpenter from Main St, Anytown, USA working day and night having a skimpy insurance or having no insurance like millions of other Americans, what his mental agony would be like to face medical bills running in thousands or deductibles running in thousands.
This should be soul searching time for Republicans whose only policy is to obstruct and survival of the fittest, the old fashioned way,
19
Glad that McCain was able to receive the best medical care we as tax payers could provide for him. Shame those with their excellent coverage think the rest of the country does not deserve the same.
22
Would this condition have anything to do with his odd behavior, questioning at Comey's hearing in June?
3
The whole thing is a delaying action. McCain could vote now if he wished. Fact is, this Rino bill is DOA, and "The Turtle" knows it.
3
I wish Senator McCain a full recovery.
I have always been a fan and admirer of his.
I was all set to vote for him in '08 until, among many other things the GOP and its co-ops were doing, he unleashed Sarah Palin onto the American consciousness, and I voted for Obama instead.
Although I'll never forgive him for that, I still think he is a great American and, unlike our deviant President, a true Hero as well.
Godspeed in your recovery Mr. McCain.
I have always been a fan and admirer of his.
I was all set to vote for him in '08 until, among many other things the GOP and its co-ops were doing, he unleashed Sarah Palin onto the American consciousness, and I voted for Obama instead.
Although I'll never forgive him for that, I still think he is a great American and, unlike our deviant President, a true Hero as well.
Godspeed in your recovery Mr. McCain.
6
Perhaps during his recovery, Mr. McCain will have time to appreciate how good his health insurance is, compared to millions who stand to lose the most if the GOP passes this latest abominable overhaul of the ACA.
How ironic that a health scare is delaying this vote. Methinks Somebody is trying to send a message -- another Road to Damascus moment, maybe?
How ironic that a health scare is delaying this vote. Methinks Somebody is trying to send a message -- another Road to Damascus moment, maybe?
10
McCain and other senators at his age think they will live forever. There's no reason he should have run for another term. Yet, their massive egos won't allow them to retire gracefully. Now more than ever we need fresh blood in the Senate. I hope McCain recovers but I also hope he retires soon.
7
The article doesn't mention what affect the clot may have been playing on his health. I wonder if this could have been a factor in his bizarre performance at the Comey hearing.
Regardless, I wish Senator McCain a full and speedy recovery. I hope this experience will help him realize that illness affects every one of us and we all need healthcare.
As one of the few honorable Republicans left standing, he is in the unique position of making a major impact on the future of healthcare in America. Will he end his career sentencing thousands to die only to enrich the people who want for nothing? Or will he be inspired by this episode to bring a basic level of healthcare to ALL Americans?
Regardless, I wish Senator McCain a full and speedy recovery. I hope this experience will help him realize that illness affects every one of us and we all need healthcare.
As one of the few honorable Republicans left standing, he is in the unique position of making a major impact on the future of healthcare in America. Will he end his career sentencing thousands to die only to enrich the people who want for nothing? Or will he be inspired by this episode to bring a basic level of healthcare to ALL Americans?
658
McCain has been talking a good line but he's voted in lockstep with his party's leadership. It isn't honorable to say one thing and do another.
534
It does mention it. Try reading it next time.
2
I wish Senator McCain a good recovery but, like Richard Schumacher says, the senator says one thing but then votes with his party. He troubled about removing the filibuster for Supreme Court nominees but still voted with his party. If he was as troubled as he indicated, he should have done the courageous thing and opposed his party.
4
I'm thankful that the Senator's surgery went well, and that he has such good health insurance so as to cover his procedure and his ongoing care, and that he has an employer - the people of this great country - that allow him the time away from work needed to adequately recover. I only wish the 535 members of congress saw fit to hoist such benefits upon the People they serve.
20
Senator McCain has given the country decades of selfless public service. I appreciate it, and though I don't share his politics, I appreciate some of his principles. I do think, however, he should have retired this last go round. Even if he can still do the job, and there are questions about that based on his questioning of Comey and his recurring serious health problems, he has earned his retirement and the nation would benefit if politicians ceased to hang around well into their 70s and 80s. There is a deficit of young leadership, particularly on the Dem side.
8
Many critical comments about the Senator's medical care versus regular Americans are here. We may not agree with him politically nor support the Republican healthcare plan, but remember that this former Naval aviator spent a number of years in brutal conditions in a North Vietnamese prison and still suffers from those effects. Health care issues aside, this guy deserves the very best medical care and I have absolutely no problem with my tax dollars paying for that care.
19
I agree with your sentiment. My concern is that others who have also served our country are not getting equal care - witness the numbers of Viet Nam vets who are homeless. Additionally, there are millions of others in this country of equal valor in areas other than the military who are not being adequately covered by insurance. It is, plain and simple, time for a single payer system which grants every person in the country access to the kind of care Senator McCain is receiving. He is no more nor less deserving than the rest of us.
11
Agreed - Sen. McCain needs great medical care. The political issue is that any person with the condition described in the article needs this level of care - immediate surgery and careful testing - and in places like Canada, Britain, etc., would get it as a matter of course, regardless of the person's wealth, fame, or possession of private insurance. That kind of basic physical security is part of the freedom that Sen. McCain fought for!
11
"Health care issues aside..."
------------------------
Why am I morally obligated to make this distinction?
An argument for everyone to have access to this level of health care isn't automatically an argument against McCain having it, but how can anyone ignore the irony here?
Why should McCain's health care be any better than his constituents' health care?
------------------------
Why am I morally obligated to make this distinction?
An argument for everyone to have access to this level of health care isn't automatically an argument against McCain having it, but how can anyone ignore the irony here?
Why should McCain's health care be any better than his constituents' health care?
5
While I disagree with much that Senator McCain espouses, let's remember he also served his country with dignity and returned from unspeakable conditions to do so.
I also hope the 400,000 people in Arizona who are now covered by Medicaid under Arizona's expansion under the ACA write to tell him they wish him well and that they also would like to have dangerous health conditions diagnosed and treated without worry about how to pay for it.
I also hope the 400,000 people in Arizona who are now covered by Medicaid under Arizona's expansion under the ACA write to tell him they wish him well and that they also would like to have dangerous health conditions diagnosed and treated without worry about how to pay for it.
49
All politics aside - best wishes to Sen McCain for his recovery.
23
Nice but naïve. Politics aside? Politics is important, is concern with the polis, the population. It outweighs and must be measured alongside the fate of any single man or woman. It is about all men and women, the polis, the community.
And if McCain, half-recovered or fully, votes for the Senate's unfair and cruel bill, your ability to compartmentalize will be proved naïve, even shallow. We all wish McCain well AND that his politics improves, too.
And if McCain, half-recovered or fully, votes for the Senate's unfair and cruel bill, your ability to compartmentalize will be proved naïve, even shallow. We all wish McCain well AND that his politics improves, too.
2
Let us maintain our criticism of the GOP's "health care" bill while wishing (for some, praying) that McCain recovers fully from what is surely a scary event in his life. We can disagree with his politics, but here is a guy who has spent his life in public service. Let's wish him the best and, when he recovers, continue to push back on his support for the GOP's agenda.
14
I wish you a full and speedy recovery, Senator McCain.
I'm grateful that you will receive expert and comprehensive care. When you return, please don't take it away from millions of your fellow citizens. They, like you, have families and friends who love and depend upon them.
I'm grateful that you will receive expert and comprehensive care. When you return, please don't take it away from millions of your fellow citizens. They, like you, have families and friends who love and depend upon them.
147
Yes, I thought he was having trouble during the Comey hearing. I hope he has a speedy recovery.
6
I am a Democrat who had always respected John McCain. But he lost that respect when he let himself be talked into naming Sarah Palin as his running mate, even though he certainly knew she was not qualified to be president. I think he also knows that this Republican health care plan is a disaster that would do terrible harm to tens of millions of American citizens. I hope he recovers well from the surgery, and I hope he embraces the opportunity to recover his integrity by voting against this bill.
313
Palin! Not qualified to be President?! For crying out loud, have you paid attention to the current President of The United States!!!
1
A few minutes ago I submitted a comment on a different article, describing (within the confines of 1500 characters) much of what is presented here --falls, age, melanoma-- as possibilities for the source of the clot. But what worries me is the vague and tight-lipped language of those controlling the flow of information to the press. A blood clot ABOVE the eye. Wow! Did an unhappy constituent get a chance to put a fist in the senator's eye? That's some shiner, if they had to squeeze the clot out.
No, this I feel sure was a deliberate effort to downplay the seriousness of Sen. McCain's current condition, if not to obscure his overall health. McCain is fortunate. He is not poor by any stretch. He has good health insurance. Medicare is tough to beat, which is why the Republicans and the private insurance industry is terrified of it. Now, if McCain were 64, unemployed, and dependent on such health insurance as McConnell, Cruz & Assoc. are trying to sell us, would we be hearing such promising language concerning his immediate future?
No, this I feel sure was a deliberate effort to downplay the seriousness of Sen. McCain's current condition, if not to obscure his overall health. McCain is fortunate. He is not poor by any stretch. He has good health insurance. Medicare is tough to beat, which is why the Republicans and the private insurance industry is terrified of it. Now, if McCain were 64, unemployed, and dependent on such health insurance as McConnell, Cruz & Assoc. are trying to sell us, would we be hearing such promising language concerning his immediate future?
156
A lot was made of McCain's ramblings during the James Comey hearing. Maybe that was an early symptom?
Regardless, he won't have to worry about dealing with a pre-existing condition insurance exception, unlike some of the rest of us.
Regardless, he won't have to worry about dealing with a pre-existing condition insurance exception, unlike some of the rest of us.
18
I sure hope you're right and that his condition is serious. Extremely serious. Enough to force his retirement.
6
Decline Tostate, I spent two weeks shy of a year in Vietnam, during the very middle of John McCain's imprisonment in Hanoi. He came out of Hanoi Hilton a hero, and deserved the accolade. I have by turns admired, been disappointed and/or dumbfounded by the man. But never have I wished him ill. And I certainly do not at this moment. I, too, wish McCain a speedy and complete recovery, just as I wish he would screw up the courage he once showed and vote a resounding "NO!" on this McConnell/Cruz travesty.
485
Frontal Lobe damage, if he has it or gets it, is a subtle but distinctive dysfunction. It affects problem-solving, the ability to plan and assess your progress toward a plan. It affects memory and the ability to change course in midstream, when a solution isn't working. It affects self-monitoring.
Yes, you wonder about Trump too, when you read that.
But can we trust that we know the cognitive functioning and/or mental health of our leaders?
This episode of brain surgery for McCain is very concerning. While the brain can repair itself, that's not as easy for an 80 year old as for someone younger.
Yes, you wonder about Trump too, when you read that.
But can we trust that we know the cognitive functioning and/or mental health of our leaders?
This episode of brain surgery for McCain is very concerning. While the brain can repair itself, that's not as easy for an 80 year old as for someone younger.
41
Hopefully you will see the light once the blood clot is removed, Sen. McCain and vote to preserve and enhance your fellow citizens healthcare by voting against this abomination of a bill.
Hopefully you will see that Single Payer is the only viable option in this land where we have prioritized healthcare so far only for the highest bidder.
Hopefully you will see that Single Payer is the only viable option in this land where we have prioritized healthcare so far only for the highest bidder.
56
Sadly, removal of the blood clot, because it required surgery, could also prevent seeing the light. Brain surgery is not without its cognitive effects.
3
Isn't it nice that he can have this surgery...we pay for it and then he can come back to vote to strip us of health care. Yep, that's the GOP way.
701
Yes. Right on the money
4
Good thing he has the best healthcare plan available...... same as the rest of the senators who are recklessly creating a healthcare system which only the rich will be able to afford.
166
And- the Senators will retain their health care after they take it away from the rest of us- Imagine!
4
As others have pointed out, all members of Congress are required to choose among several Obamacare plans that are available to the public.
I wish the Senator the best of luck in this surgery. That said, why should the people's business be delayed for so long? Shouldn't there be some sort of remedy for a situation like this? We need to kill this bill, and now.
24
Better to let American watch and come to the realization that they'd be totally out of luck if something like this happened to them and all they had was TrumpCare. Run the cost of surgery/recovery against payments received from BC/BS, Aetna, etc. and from the ACA. Great push-back opportunity for progressives.
3
While I wish Senator McCain a full recovery, I hope an extended recovery period gives him time to contemplate that if he votes yes on this disastrous ACA, millions of 50 years+ Americans will be forced to drop their own health insurance as they won't be able to afford it. Should they then be in a similar situation as he, they would die.
116
I hope that Senator McCain does recover well, because we need him in DC as he is the voice of reason for the GOP!
3
Best of luck with an effortless recovery, Senator McCain. You deserve to take your time and all the space you need to be well again. You're my hero and I value your honesty and personal integrity beyond words.
Be well.
Be well.
5
I wish our warrior Republican senator a speedy recovery. You have always acted with integrity. With affection from a loyal Democrat.
2
While McConnell has lost all sense of dignity and honor, McCain still attempts to claim his and may be able to do so.
May Senator McCain recover soon and lend a just a wee bit of sanity to the pure decadence of the current Republican party. Republicans can no longer claim to be the party of Abraham Lincoln.
May Senator McCain recover soon and lend a just a wee bit of sanity to the pure decadence of the current Republican party. Republicans can no longer claim to be the party of Abraham Lincoln.
24
He should retire. 80 is pushing the envelope in such an important job, and McCain has been exhibiting symptoms of confusion, vagueness for some time. The Senate is a club where they all protect each other in this one way, but come on, we need to put the country before individuals - he should retire.
37
“Usually, a blood clot in this area would be a very concerning issue,” ... but given that there is absolutely NO likelihood of the clot reaching his brain, or lack thereof, the risk was negligible.
4
I demand he go thru his experience on OBAMACARE.
And nothing more.
And nothing more.
3
Could not have said it better!!
1
If you look into this, you'll find he IS going through his experience on Obamacare. All members of Congress are required to pick an Obamacare plan. Of course, being 80 years old, McCain has been on Medicare for a long time.
1
"Obamacare" isn't a specific health plan, its a statutory scheme that regulated health plans. Sen. McCain is going through this under Obamacare, because the ACA remains the law, for now.
And I hope it remains and is improved upon, or replaced by medicaid for all, because like Sen. McCain I have preexisting conditions, but unlike Sen. McCain I can't exempt myself from the punitive aspects of the republican bill's regulations, and I can't afford gold-plated insurance plans.
I wish him a speedy recovery and top notch care, as well as the empathy to understand that everyone deserves access to healthcare.
And I hope it remains and is improved upon, or replaced by medicaid for all, because like Sen. McCain I have preexisting conditions, but unlike Sen. McCain I can't exempt myself from the punitive aspects of the republican bill's regulations, and I can't afford gold-plated insurance plans.
I wish him a speedy recovery and top notch care, as well as the empathy to understand that everyone deserves access to healthcare.
6
I wish Senator McCain the best and hope for a successful recovery. McCain is a rare politician of integrity. I have never agreed with him once, except when he told Palin's fans to pretend to be at least humanly civil.
3
He should be Patient One under the Republicans' bill.
13
So, the vote to destroy the healthcare (and hopes, and dreams, and families) of literally millions of hardworking Americans is waylaid by the illness of one man who in fact has a preexisting issue that is fully paid for by his government insurance. If the whole situation, including Mr. McCain's spastic fealty to his party, were not so terrifying to so many, it would almost be amusing.
53
Mr Cain please reflect on how fortunate you are to have health insurance and the ability tobe at one of the best clinics.The majority of Americans are not that lucky. Please consider the health care bill to fair to all Americans. Thank you ! take a moment at looking at all other civilized countries that are having a national health care system,a one payer system, not a hodge dodge of many dysfunctional ones !!
16
Unfortunately, McCain had his laurels removed, which of course makes rest so much harder.
4
Readers are too kind in their comments. McCain gets care courtesy of the Federal Government in exchange for his service. Tens of millions of Americans get no care in exchange for their service to the business sector or because they are too poor to pay for care. It is an abomination that McCain will vote to deny care to his fellow Americans while receiving care himself. The duplicity and greed of McCain and those he supports knows no bounds.
53
Senator McCain would be covered by Medicare in the private sector - try again.
1
Completely agree. John McCain had been a pretty good senator for some time, working, for example, on a major immigration overhaul with Ted Kennedy. But once he chose Sarah Palin to be his vice presidential running mate, things were worse. Lately he tows the Republican line, and while he has some moderate inclinations, he generally does not vote along those lines. So while we all hope he recovers, we should also recall that he does not generally support bills that help those less fortunate.
6
As a veteran, McCain is entitled to free health care. As a Senator, he is not.
2
Many posters have already pointed out the irony of postponing the voting on the healthcare bill so that the Senator can get his own health taken care of. There is another irony too. In this year when we are hearing so much negatives about immigrants and H1B, the Senator's doctor, Nrupen Baxi is most certainly of Indian origin.
20
I'm upset that he gets cadillac health care on our dime while we wait for him to return and vote in solidarity with the GOP. It is not "ironic" or "funny" it is obscene.
68
Senator John McCain is a national hero, one of the few national heroes left. There will never be another like him. He survived the brutality of the North Vietnamese death camp; he’s a survivor. It is for that reason the nation must not spare any expense in maintaining his health. Thank you for your service, Senator McCain; America wishes you a speedy recovery.
1
What about those with comparable histories that do not have access to free top notch medical care at the expense of the taxpayer???
11
There are thousands of veterans who have heroically served this country at the same threshold of sacrifice as McCain. They live quieter lives out of the public eye and have never has the benefit of this countries largesse nor willingness to "spare any expense" to maintain their health and well-being. I am deeply supportive of our veterans and active duty military and shallow expressions of gratitude for their service are ubiquitous platitudes that comes nowhere near expressing the core debt EVERY other citizen owes this country's servicemen and women. To single out McCain's service as the prime reason to "spare no expense in maintaining his health" is an offense against the many other honorable and heroic servicemen and their families that we don't care for and that the GOP doesn't give a hoot about as it sets about decimating the healthcare of tens of millions.
19
Maybe the Doctors will implant a conscience that the elected representatives should not have a health plan and health outcomes that are so superior to the constituents they purport to represent.
13
It's understandable that some find the situation ironic, but like his politics or not, he endured unspeakable hardships for his country. Let's be respectful and wish him comfort and a full recovery.
25
I think commenters are being very respectful and wishing him well - something you will never see on a right wing news site. One can't help wonder though if he is contemplating the healthcare of the millions his vote would affect while he enjoys good healthcare himself
6
He, like Representative Scalise, certainly don't not have to worry about lifetime caps. That is for the rest of us.
302
But they've both been elected to be concerned about ALL of us!
"To provide for the general welfare" is part of the Constitution!
"To provide for the general welfare" is part of the Constitution!
3
No doubt as a Senator, John McCain has excellent health insurance coverage, as he should. It's ironic, however, that McConnell and his Republican buddies have to delay their vote on their secret "Better Care" plan because the good Senator is recovering from surgery. Of course, we all know that "Better Care" means better financial care for the wealthy and lousy or no health insurance for millions of other Americans.
362
Why should he have excellent health care coverage that WE PAY FOR? HE has no more right to health care than the rest of us do.
7
I wish McCain well, but I hope he sees the irony of his delaying a vote on a bill to deprive millions of his fellow citizens of health care and downgrade the care of millions more while his own surgery and recovery are fully covered by his gold plated US Senate health insurance, courtesy of US taxpayers.
774
He is over 65, he is Medicare eligible. He would not be buying any insurance except a gap policy to cover deductibles. Additionally he is probably covered by Medicare/Tricare wraparound veterans insurance. It would make no sense for him to go out and buy any other type of policy, even if it cost a million a year, Medicare/Tricare covers everything he could ever need.
3
Really? Any honest, objective person would have to admit that Obamacare has been a disaster. Outrageous premiums, 10-16,000 annual deductibles with some plans and insurance companies dropping out in numerous states. If you call a 10K deductible with $1000 per month premiums healthcare I guess the status quo is just dandy. And no, although the liberal media let Obama get away with a complete pass......we all know now that Obama's oft repeated claim that people could keep their dr. and healthcare plan under Obamacare was a fradulent claim.
3
There is an irony in that a health issue holds up the healthcare bill. How many people wonder if they could afford the bills were they in his situation?
200
While I wish Mr. McCain well, I cannot help but wonder who's paying for his medical treatment. Probably the senate's health insurance under the ACA. Wouldn't it be nice if someone looked into the costs and how they would never be paid by these new "alternative" policies proposed in the pending plan, those "insurance policies" that are "policies' in name only.
Senator, if and when you vote on the pending proposal, consider how someone in your position would fare if he/she was not protected by the ACA type policy you are now enjoying.
Senator, if and when you vote on the pending proposal, consider how someone in your position would fare if he/she was not protected by the ACA type policy you are now enjoying.
210
isnt it medicare with some plan as a co pay...vet, medicare advantage, etc? Amazing how our 65+ MOC never talk about how Medicare covers the bulk of the medical expense!
3
One thing is sure, ca, he has many choices. Perhaps his cost so much the rest of us aren't entitled to any? Seems many of the "elected officials" are double -triple-quadruple dipping some way.
I will pray that Mr. McCain's medical care is successful and for him and his family's sake that he fully recovers and continues to enjoy life. Life is precious to us all and our health is precious too.
45
I agree with the idea, JRM, but have lost respect for Mr. McCain since he will not renounce The Con Don or the International Mafia. Not acceptable.
2
Regarding the many comments about who is paying for McCain's care it is interesting to note that although he never lets anyone forget of his status as a veteran he sure doesn't seem to trust the Veterans Administration healthcare system. I guess he figured he might have to wait for care and be concerned about its quality when he got it.
So he's the same as every other vet except when it's in his interests to not be.
So he's the same as every other vet except when it's in his interests to not be.
325
McCain's economic status, puts him at the end of the line for va services. Years ago they started the system of treating by need. I am a vet, but due to economic level, not going to get in unless near bankruptcy.
Google up income level and va treatment. They started this back in the 90's
Google up income level and va treatment. They started this back in the 90's
21
Having lost two brothers to the incompetence of VA hospitals I also noticed it did not say he was anywhere near a VA medical facility. He has more than one health insurance policy--his as a senator, as a vet and as the spouse of someone who's wealthy. But we wait to see if they will deprive people of even one.
143
This is an incorrect assumption! First of all I am going to assume Mr. McCain has medicare A/B as his primary insurance and some form of VA insurance as his secondary. As a frontline RN at U. Of Az medical center, it is very common for veterans to be referred from the VAH to the University hospital in Tucson for a higher level of care than can be provided at the VAH. Typically neurosurgeons and neurosurgical ICU care is found only in major teaching hospitals or hospitals like the Mayo clinic. Every veteran is entitled to this care, regardless of whether they are insured. I see many homeless vets with VA benefits only (uninsured) that receive the highest level of acute care available at my facility. Part of the problem with this debate is the assumptions that are made and the abysmal lack of knowledge about insurance benefits. Going to the Mayo has absolutely zero to do with the quality of care provided by the VAH...it has to do with being referred to a facility that could provide the level of care and specialized procedute that he needed. Even if this country eventually catches up to the rest of the world and we have universal coverage (I am in favor of this).. not every institution provides specialized services, not every hospital is a Level I trauma center. Mr McCain did NOT take advantage of any sort of special status!
9
Hope he takes this time to ponder on the importance of health care and those that are not as fortunate as himself with health insurance provided through his employer.
835
Irony is what comes to mind. Here is a person with tax payer provided top of the line health care and the senate delays voting on stripping health care from millions because he is using his gold plated policy.
21
He won't! In the end he really doesn't care. He will do. as he always does in his political career ...what is in his own best interest.
14
As a retired US Navy veteran, he also has access to lifetime care through the VA.
9