McCain on Viagra
Posted on July 10th, 2008 – 3:29 PMBy Josephine Marcotty
Never mind straight talk. How about any talk at all?
Sen. John McCain was asked the big question earlier this week — no, not the war with Iraq or the economy. Viagra and birth control.
His campaign advisor Carly Fiorina started it on Monday when she was talking with reporters about consumer driven health care. She pointed out that some health plans cover Viagra, but not birth control. Women might like a choice in that, she said.
Good point. (Item: McCain twice voted against legislation that would require health plans to cover birth control. )
Then on Wednesday Los Angeles Times reporter Maeve Reston asked McCain about it on his campaign bus.
Here is the video clip from that exchange.
Seems like simple question, doesn’t it? If health plans cover Viagra, should they cover birth control, too? I can’t wait to hear what he does think — if he ever gets around to answering the question.What do you think?
21 Responses to "McCain on Viagra"
It’s always strange when politicians seem to struggle with the simple questions.
The answer here is “Yes, I think that health insurance should cover birth control. What I do not support is increased government regulation of the health care industry.”
So simple. He could have also added that he feels coverage of Viagra and birth control are two separate issues, even though people like to tie them together (typically, it seems, because they feel there’s some point to be made).
Crazy stuff. I don’t think health insurance should be covering “little stuff” that people can afford themselves - Birth control OR Vigra! (It’s just not fair to us losers out there who don’t get any action to need either!)
So what?!?!?!?!
Stick to the NATIONAL issues and issues that impact ALL Americans. Quit prying into personal issues of an individual.
BTW Stribe, I heard Obamha is gay? Want to make a big deal out of that too? Get over it and focus on national issues. Maybe then I’ll respect you more. Try reporting the facts and leave your hidden agenda out of your stories.
BOTH SHOULD BE COVERED. THEY ARE NOT THE SAME ISSUE, I AGREE WITH JOHN GOODMAN. STICK TO THE MAJOR ISSUES AND LET PEOPLE MAKE THEIR OWN CHOICES ABOUT HEALTH CARE.
I agree with John Goodman. With all that’s going on the country — indeed the world — and you focus on this?
This is a major issue to about half the population. Equality is one of the tenants of our independence. It’s a simple question, Senator McCain.
torie b, punky and john goodman: I think it’s the blog author’s job to bring up these kinds of issues and ask for discussion. Healthcare, of which birth control and Viagra are a part, IS a national issue. Maybe not so much for you, but it’s worthy of a column and REASONED comments.
Eric, I totally agree. That is the right answer, and if McCain is unable to give that answer then perhaps his representatives should know enough to steer clear of the issue. Either that, or be aware of his voting record on the issue so that he doesn’t end up painted into a corner. I hate the fact that these politicians feel the need to run their answers through a committee, then have them polled, then screened by special interest groups prior to their being used in public. His bus is supposed to be the Straight Talk Express, it might be time to actually follow that mantra and just speak his mind.
They should change the name from birth control pill and call it something else. I’m 46 and my doctor prescribed the pill for severe health reasons related to peri-menopause. The cost is not cheap for someone watching their budget. $30 a month vs $10 co pay through my health plan. Does this help you make up your mind John?
Good point, LL. I take birth control pills to control endometriosis. They’ve helped me avoid another costly surgery. Birth control pills are frequently used for medical reasons other than birth control, and they should be covered by health insurance. Would you deny insulin to a diabetic?
John Goodman: Health care coverage isn’t a national issue? Ok then.
McCain is clearly torn between the correct answer, “it’s unfair”, and pissing off the insurance industry. Insurance industry wins again!
You know what, on a bit of further reflection, it’s clear that John only read the HEADLINE and thought the Strib was reporting that McCain uses Viagra. Which means the two people agreeing with him got totally punked.
What’s more expensive for an insurance company… $30/month for the pill or THOUSANDS of dollars for a woman to give birth plus to add that new person to the list of insured?
Not a difficult answer. What in the world is McCain thinking?!
What a deceptive headline….doesnt suprise me you people at the Star Tribune have never let the facts get in the way of a good headline.
Lack of government oversight is how our healthcare system got so bad. Greedy politicians sit by and do nothing while HMOs and drug companies rake in money and don’t provide anything for their clients just to get donations. And all they while they claim the market is self correcting. If that was true no one would ever get bad service or products.
Actually, yes, I read the article. I watched the video. But the reason this is a non-story is because it’s totally sensationalized. Fine, McCain didn’t know how to answer the question. And admittedly, there’s a lot of unfairness in health plans — what they cover, what they don’t. But an article titled “McCain on Viagra” and telling us he was asked “the big question” — please. It’s sensationalized.
Since virtually EVERYONE who clicked on this story wanted to know if John McCain (is) on Viagra, as opposed to listening to John McCain (speak) on Viagra…for whom is “John McCain on Viagra” a big issue????? I guess everyone. You are all guilty, but that is o.k….being nosy and voyeuristic about other people’s sex lives is…fun. If Barry Bonds can use performance enhancing drugs (and get away with it), why not Big John McCain? And you, and you and you too!
Its just a trick question by a liberal Shyster, trying to freak out a modest man.. perverts will do anything for a rize.. But ask Obama… he knows,,, he thinks the government should pay for everything.. His plans will severly depress this economy
Gee, how about asking Obama the same question. I bet by now he has his teleprompter rigged up for a good blow hard answer…..
Hey Will to live-
A modest man would not get a wealthy ,young trade-up wife and marry her within a month of divorcing wife number one. The question was not at all provocative and it was very relevant to today’s world. If you watch TV you have heard about viagra and birth control. Maybe you should petition TV stations for running those offensive ads if they outrage “modest” folks so much.
John Goodman you’re an idiot freaking idiot. Do the 50% of the NATIONAL population who used birth control not count.
Oh high and mighty idiot, what about BC for health reasons other than birth control. Sit down and shut up if you don’t know what’s going on.
Freaking idiot.
Newspaper Subscriptions
eEdition
RSS
Newsletters