Is this really the future of healthcare in America?
As Republican politicians in Washington bickered over the fate of Obamacare, hundreds of desperate people queued outside a county fairground 400 miles away over the weekend in the hope of receiving basic medical treatment. Teeth rotting, blood pressure soaring, some on crutches or with oxygen tanks, they limped in through the darkness. Some had camped in a field or slept in their cars to be first in line.
This massive free healthcare event, staffed by volunteer doctors and nurses, treated thousands of people over the weekend. Inside a barn, animal stalls were transformed into makeshift medical facilities. A team of optometrists tested for glaucoma in the chicken house. Mammograms and skin examinations took place in articulated lorries.
“I just wish I could get President Trump to come and see this,” said Stan Brock, a British philanthropist and founder of Remote Area Medical, the charity behind it. “The people here are Mr Trump’s constituency, they’re his voters, and it drives me up the wall. If he saw what was happening I’m sure he’d do something about it. Unfortunately I can’t contact him because I don’t tweet.”
Mr Brock, 80, added: “This organisation was designed to parachute into the most God-awful places. I expected to see stuff like this in South Sudan and Haiti, but it’s right here in the United States of America.”
Last week the Republican bill to repeal and replace Obamacare, a cornerstone pledge of Mr Trump’s campaign, failed in the US Senate.
However, despite objections from moderates in his own party, Mr Trump has pledged to keep pushing for it to go through.
Obamacare, the signature domestic policy legacy of his predecessor, led to 20 million more Americans getting health insurance. Repealing it became a cause célèbre for Republicans who regard it as costly government overreach, and an unworkable system.
The Senate bill would not only dismantle Obamacare, it would introduce swingeing $800 billion cuts over the next decade to Medicaid, the social security healthcare subsidy programme for the unemployed.
As the unfortunate hobbled into the Wise fairground the headline on a morning paper screamed “32 million more to be uninsured under Republican plan”. National polls also show Obamacare is more popular than ever, with a majority of Americans in favour of it for the first time.
Americans also believe healthcare is by far the most important issue facing their country. Some 35 per cent said healthcare, followed by 13 per cent jobs and 11 per cent terrorism.
But many of those in direst need, and who could suffer most under the Trump-backed Senate bill, are still squarely behind the president. The Daily Telegraph interviewed half a dozen Trump voters receiving healthcare at the fairground. Every one said Obamacare should be repealed, and that they believed Mr Trump would introduce something better.
Their reasons varied. Some had gained coverage under Obamacare but were unable to meet the rising cost of monthly premiums. Others said they knew little of the detail of the Senate bill, simply pledging faith in Mr Trump.
“I love Trump,” said Margaret Harris, 54, shaking her head as she was told Mr Trump backed massive cuts in healthcare spending. She
added: “Obamacare don’t pay for false teeth and glasses and I blame the Democrats. I’m diabetic and I can’t hardly see you. I need glasses but I ain’t got $400 to pay for them. I know Trump will get it done for us.” Similarly, Robert Hicks, 75, a former truck driver who has no insurance, added: “That’s not Trump, it’s the people in Congress.”
Terry Turner, 53, who suffered a broken neck in a factory accident, had much of his care covered by Medicaid, but seemed unconcerned at Trumpbacked cuts to the programme.
“I’m all in for Trump, he’s got a good heart,” he said, and added that there were “able-bodied people out there that won’t get out of bed” who were abusing Medicaid, who Mr Trump would root out. In the election campaign Mr Trump recited “Repeal and replace Obamacare” as a mantra at rallies, highlighting the soaring cost of premiums. That struck a chord with Buddy Howington, 48, who was having teeth pulled. His Obamacare premiums rose to $2,500 a year, and he only earned $7.25 an hour part-time in a supermarket, so he abandoned coverage.
“Then they fined me $300 for not paying,” he said. “I couldn’t afford to pay for Obamacare so they fine me. Makes no sense. I don’t know what’s going on in Washington but I think Trump will help eventually.” Sitting on a bench waiting for a lung check, Lois Black, 91, a Trump supporter, said: “People are dropping out of that Obamacare. I believe if Congress would get together with Mr Trump we would all be a lot better off. Repeal it and replace it with something better. Good luck to him.” Among those volunteering in an Army-style registration tent for patients was Tim Kaine, the Virginia senator and Hillary Clinton’s running mate in the presidential election. Mr Kaine said the Senate repeal bill would be “absolutely devastating” and Mr Trump’s voters should realise it. He told The Telegraph: “Take any president’s name out of this and ask people, whoever they voted for, about massive cuts to Medicaid.
“Then there would be shock and horror. That’s taking care away from kids, folks with disabilities, parents and grandparents in nursing homes.”
Mr Kaine said it makes him “mad” when Mr Trump keeps saying Democrats should work with him. He said he had been offering to sit down with the Republicans since January. “We’ve got ideas,” he said.
‘I expected to see stuff like this in South Sudan and Haiti, but it’s right here in the United States of America’