Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Casting Mistake
Posted by David Winkler-Schmit on Tue, Feb 3, 2009 at 11:01 PM
Sometimes people with the best intentions, can make some pretty big mistakes.
“Louisiana Voices for Change,” a group of children’s advocates, labor, faith and community-based organizations held a press conference this morning to unveil a new short film criticizing Sen. David Vitter’s voting record on the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which provides health insurance to low-income families.
The short film tells viewers how there are thousands of families in Louisiana who don’t have health insurance, and then tells the story of Chris and Tiffany Starnes and Reily, their 17-month-old daughter. Reily was born a month premature, and had numerous medical problems (she’s a healthy little girl now), which necessitated a month-long stay in the neonatal intensive care unit and several surgeries. By the time Reily was six months old, her medical bills exceeded $1 million.
We then find out how Sen. Vitter, a father of four who has run on a platform of family values, has voted three times against the SCHIP program, which, according to film, “voted AGAINST Children’s Healthcare Program enhancement bill that would have helped families like the Starnes.”
Let’s recap: the Starnes are in the hole for $1 million in medical costs, and Vitter voted against a program that could have helped the Starnes, right?
Wrong. I’ll admit I’ve now watched this video many times — and I’ve had my editor view it as well — and we both come to the conclusion that the film implies the Starnes didn’t have medical insurance.
“We have medical insurance and we’re very fortunate for that,” says Chris Starnes.
Okay, so what about the million dollars? Tiffany Starnes says the total was actually more than $1.5 million in medical charges, but their health insurance paid it. The only thing the Starnes were responsible for was their deductible.
I wasn’t sure what to make of this, so I called Helene O’Brien, president of the local Service Employees International Union (SEIU). O’Brien is a member of “Louisiana Voices for Change,” and SEIU’s name is superimposed across the anti-Vitter film. O’Brien says she knew the Starnes had medical insurance, but added, “Well, they are on the hook for a million dollars.” That’s news to the Starnes.
The Gambit has come out in favor of SCHIP previously, and we will continue to support a program that provides health insurance for kids. And we’re certainly not against criticizing David Vitter http://bestofneworleans.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A39596 . But if you’re going to make a film about SCHIP and Vitter, find an uninsured family who has mounting medical bills because they can’t afford health insurance.
There are thousands of them in Louisiana.
Note: The Starnes are a great family. Tiffany was one of our “Forty Under Forty” honorees and Chris owns and operates Coffea Café in the Bywater.
Comments (1)
Showing 1-1 of 1
I am glad to see this article, as I was very upset to hear that my situation was misrepresented. Ironically, I have since changed jobs and Reily does not qualify for a new insurance plan. At 18 months nobody will take her because she is too much of a liability. And we make enough not to qualify for state funded programs. So, we now have a "catastrophic" policy to protect us from drastic costs. If her expenses exceed $10,000 the insurance will be worth it. Unfortunately, that also means that I will be coming out of pocket for everything up to that, which is a hefty expense. I am extremely lucky to have a great job in these tough economic times and am setting up a FSA to help mitigate the burden. But, unfortunately, I am embarrassed to admit that I choose doctor visits for myself very wisely so as not to spend those savings. If it is a choice between allergy medication for me or ongoing care for my child...obviously, I will live with sniffles. That is an easy sacrifice. But what about the parents who have to wait until payday to take their kid to the doctor, causing the child to get sicker in the meantime? It's a terrible situation that no parent should ever find themselves in. It is my opinion as a fierce and devoted mother that there is never an excuse for a child to go without necessary care and if the impediment to that care is insurance, we need to rethink our system.
like
dislike
Recent Comments
-
Re: Interview: Willie Robertson of A&E's Duck Dynasty
I really love the show and at this time of morning, I just posted on…
-
on May 22, 2012
via mobile
-
Re: More reality TV shows to embarrass Louisiana
There isn't anything embarrassing about Louisiana(well, our education system n politics but there getting better),…
- on May 21, 2012
-
Re: WDSU: Hedge-Morrell will return for next Council meeting
Doesn't Mitch keep veto power thanks to morrell and johnson? (5 needed to override a…
- on May 21, 2012
-
Re: Book your favorite movie at a local theater
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6FXurcdaf0 - Josh Stover introduces the crowd to NOLA's first Tugg event.
- on May 21, 2012
-
Re: Foodies opens on Julia Row
Dinner of Thai Wrap and side salad was delicious, the best Cappuccino that I have…
- on May 19, 2012
-
Re: The artist's mother
Thank you, Salena. I appreciate your comments, especially after viewing your dedicated and proficient blog…
- on May 19, 2012
- More »
