MSNBC Resorts to Using Boy Health Care Activist to Plug for ObamaCare
On the one-year anniversary of the health care law, MSNBC thought it fitting to bring on a boy who championed the bill and give him a platform. Anchor Andrea Mitchell hosted 12-year-old activist Marcelas Owens Wednesday and asked him questions with predictable answers to explain the case for the health care law.
Owens became famous last year for his public appearances to rally support for the health care overhaul. His mother had died of pulmonary hypertension in 2007 after she lost her job due to extended leave of absence. She was unqualified for Medicare or for health insurance. Owens used the tragedy to speak out in favor of universal health care.
Mitchell gave Owens a soft interview in what seemed a plug for the health care bill, given that she asked him to explain what could be done in the face of opposition "who don't understand the need for health care" and believe that "there isn't enough money" for universal health care. Of course, Republicans last year proposed health care reforms of their own but were largely ignored amidst the partisan Democratic push for the bill's passage.
"What do you think can be done, because a lot of people don't understand the need for health care," Mitchell asked, "and they say there isn't enough money to pay for everyone to have health care?"
Mitchell followed up that question by asking him tell what he thought everyone should know about health care, in the face of his mother's heartbreaking death.
"I want people to know that the health care bill is a good thing and it will help not only just a few people, it will help everybody" Owens predictably answered. Mitchell, satisfied with the answer, moved on by asking him if he received a pen used at the signing. When he told her he hadn't, she expressed dismay and remarked that "it's a shame you didn't have that."
Hopefully Mitchell granted the youngster an autographed piece of memorabilia after he left the set.
A transcript of the segment, which aired on March 23 at 1:36 p.m. EDT, is as follows:
ANDREA MITCHELL: One year ago today, President Obama signed the massive health care overhaul into law. One of the most visible and unlikely spokesmen to emerge from this heated debate was 12 years-old. Now 12 year-old Marcellus Owens stood beside the President as he signed the Affordable Care Act with Vice President Biden's hand firmly on his shoulder. His mother Tiffany had died of pulmonary hypertension in 2007 after losing her job and her health insurance, but did not qualify for Medicaid. Now Marcellus is determined to finish the work that his mother had started and become himself a grassroots activist, fighting to make sure that everyone has health coverage. Marcellus Owens joins us now, and Marcellus, I apologize, I said you were in fifth grade. You are a sixth-grader now, in the year that's passed, so thank you very much for joining us from Seattle. What is it that you're hoping to accomplish in your mother's name and on her behalf?
MARCELLUS OWENS: Can you repeat that?
MITCHELL: What is it that you're trying to accomplish for your mother? Your mother Tiffany tried so hard to fight for health care for other people. What do you want to do now?
OWENS: I want everybody to have something that my mom didn't have a chance to have – the equal rights to have health care and to get medicine or treatments that they need.
MITCHELL: What do you think can be done, because a lot of people don't understand the need for health care, and they say there isn't enough money to pay for everyone to have health care.
OWENS: I think that everybody needs it, and it really doesn't matter because it will benefit –
MITCHELL: Talk about what you went through. You watched your mother struggling, and she didn't have the money to pay. Now you're being taken care by your grandmother, who is helping take care of you and raising you. But why do you think that other people need to better understand? What is it you want people to know?
OWENS: I want people to know that the health care bill is a good thing and it will help not only just a few people, it will help everybody. And I just want them to know that.
MITCHELL: Well, I want to bring you back to a year ago, because what was it like to be at the White House with the President of the United States?
OWENS: It was amazing, because I was kind of shy and I was just admiring him because he is the first African-American President.
MITCHELL: It must have been really an awesome moment for you to be there watching the President taking all those pens. Did he give you a pen, Marcellus?
OWENS: No.
MITCHELL: Oh, we have to find out why that didn't happen. He gave – those pens are for members of Congress, I guess. It's a shame that you didn't have that. Did you – now in school, you're now in sixth grade. What are you studying, and what do you hope to do about health care, and about all these big issues as you grow up?
OWENS: Well, I'm starting to get back into school, and I was wanting to start to work on more things, and to start to make not just health care better, but everything a better place for the whole United States and more.
MITCHELL: And what's your favorite subject in school?
OWENS: Um, I have a few, like PE, math, and writing.
MITCHELL: Well, they're all important, and we hope that you have lots of success in school, and study hard, and continue working on the things you care about. And I know health care is the biggest thing right now that you care about.
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Comments
Sorry to say this but
Submitted by djwolf12 on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 6:29pm.
he looks like a cross between Tatoo, Gary Coleman and Al Sharpton.
Hey!
Submitted by JanineC on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 7:14pm.
That is really out of line. The kid is being used. He doesn't know any better. He lost his mother and misses her. All you can do is throw ad hominem attacks against him regarding his looks??? You should be attacking the evil of the leftist exploiters.
Whether the kid is being used or not---
Submitted by matthewdean on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 7:18pm.
does not alter the fact that the description is accurate.
MD
so?
Submitted by mom_rox on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 11:10pm.
I agree with JanineC. What is the justification for commenting on the boy's physical appearance? and snarky comments at that.
So I agree with djwolf that the kid looks like---
Submitted by matthewdean on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 1:11am.
Gary Coleman.
If you choose to see that as snark, fine.
MD
Let's Move
Submitted by Diesel on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 12:48pm.
I thought this was the poster child for FLOTUS' "Let's Move" project.
I dunno, he looks presidential to me.
Submitted by SickofLibs on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 6:45pm.
Let's get his elementary school transcripts NOW.
Whew
Submitted by jdlybrand on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 8:22pm.
Don't think I'll be around for the inauguration. I'm thinking that's a good thing.
"What a revoltin' development this is!"
Chester Riley
Socialists
Submitted by Scott Trent on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 6:49pm.
The Socialists at msnbc are even harder up than I thought. How sad.
You ain't lyin Scott!
Submitted by Ashrak on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 8:54pm.
Not after what I just saw Lawrence do in his 'rewrite'.... His Catholics segment and his Palin - Beck claims were beyond the pail in ways I am not sure can be topped. Unreal.
A continuation of
Submitted by sam12663 on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 6:52pm.
the bumper sticker presidency.
Further proof of just how woeful the media has become. How sad that once reputable news organizations have found nothing better to do than celebrate the anniversary of the SIGNING OF A LAW! And using a child to do it. Truly pathetic.
Where, pray tell...
Submitted by jdlybrand on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 8:18pm.
...are the 'lab coat' clad health care professionals? Shouldn't they be in the background behind the kid? Andrea, your producers are slipping.
"What a revoltin' development this is!"
Chester Riley
I think it's time Rep. John Bonehead & Co. get of their behinds
Submitted by Dave. on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 7:03pm.
...stop making lame excuses, and rip the guts out of Obamacare once and for all.
And if they don't, let the recalls begin, because by 2012 this hideous health care law from Hell will be far too entrenched to get rid of.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
Aw, How Sweet!
Submitted by Dave81 on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 7:09pm.
I never realized how good the Health Care Bill was until a 12 year old explained it to me! Thanks MSNBC for this wonderful bit of enlightenment.
Talk about Child Exploitation!!!!!
Submitted by JanineC on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 7:12pm.
Talk about child exploitation....this little boy is hurting because he lost his mama. The lefties are using his pain to push their poltical agenda. He doesn't know ANYthing about this bill and how it will affect Americans. He doesn't understand economics! He is a young kid who just misses his mother. I am appalled and disgusted by the leftist freaks who will do ANYTHING and use ANYONE for their own personal gain. I sure wish and hope that other people will see how horrible this is. Leftism is pure EVIL.
BTW, I think it is terrible that some folks here are picking on the poor boy. He is a victim...but NOT of our healthcare system...he is a victim of leftist exploitation and manipulation.
fake fake fake
Submitted by jon_torlin on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 7:15pm.
There's so much fakery being tossed around, it's like watching a magic show with all the secrets displayed for all to see and yet at the same time, all who see it are not seeing everything.
Ugh, the list would be long.
Did anyone who watch the video watch the kid's eyes and see if they were going back and forth like he was reading from a cue card?
-Jon
Fake but accurate? Naw
Submitted by JanineC on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 7:33pm.
Actually, Jon...the kid is not reading any cue cards. His eyes are moving around but that looks like distractions and nervousness. His understanding of the whole issue is so simplistic and the questions that Andrea the Dragonlady are asking are actually so leading that he couldn't avoid answering how they wanted him to answer anyway.
Of course everybody should have access to healthcare! Nobody is trying to deny health care!!!
Health care availability for everyone is NOT the issue, Andrea!
Evil socialist manipulators... I can see right through all their tricks--especially their words. Unfortunately, the less sophisticated and the ignorant don't realize they are being misled with words. This is why we must ALL go out and make sure we EDUCATE the public into understanding what the real issue is and that we ALL want to provide a solution for those who have no insurance to make sure they are not overly burdened.
MSNBC Deploys Child Solder To Commit War Crimes
Submitted by Avitar on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 7:47pm.
Tins looks like a war crime to me. Especially since Obama care will prevent curing of many of the diseases that otherwise could be cured and will kill many of his generation if not stopped.
The Perfect Solution:
Submitted by Comrade Jim on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 7:50pm.
Andrea Mitchell and all the other lefties get Obama Care. The rest of us will take health care provided by the free market. And also this: No subsidies for Obama Care by taxing the free marketeers.
This kid was used! Here's proof!
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 8:21pm.
Don't y'all remember this was all exposed as a hoax after the hearts and flowers photo-op back in 2007?
THE KID'S MOTHER DID RECEIVE TREATMENT, but died anyway!
Where the he11 are the
Submitted by Van Halen on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 8:43pm.
Where the he11 are the Republicans? Why are we still debating Obamacare? Why is it not gone yet? Where it the leadership on the Right? Nothing - NOTHING of substance has been done since they took Congress.
NOTHING done on Obamacare.
NOTHING done on the Mexican border.
NOTHING done on NPR/FCC.
NOTHING done on tax cuts.
NOTHING done on spending cuts.
NOTHING done on the Czars.
Van Halen
Submitted by Agnostic on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 9:15pm.
most of those issues have been addressed to one level or another but the Harry will sit on everything in the Senate and so far has sucessfully ignored the House.
My Kid
Submitted by jaywl on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 9:09pm.
I've got a twelve-year old kid too, a grandson. He's an activist also, the kid won't shut up. I'd like to put him up against the libkid on health care or maybe debate existential atomic radiation as a form of population control. I've been indoctri.......teaching the kid ever since we discovered twelve year old preteens don't need, (as mine put it), all that "stuff" to know what's 'appning. I.m sorry the kid lost his Mom, but it is a sad state of affairs that Obama thinks the American people could be swayed by a boy when deciding such momentous issues.
Looks like 5 dollars and a
Submitted by Thoreau on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 9:16pm.
Looks like 5 dollars and a twinkie bought that kid.
The RINOs being punked by a
Submitted by LAM SON 719 on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 9:25pm.
The RINOs being punked by a kid.The GOP will end up doing nothing about health care because of their cowardice.
I always wondered what had become of Rodney Allen Rippy
Submitted by Dave. on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 9:35pm.
:-^)
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
Rebpulicans: fight this fire with fire
Submitted by lsudolemite on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 10:27pm.
Every time the Dems trot out one of these little human shields of theirs I want to see the Republicans do likewise:
1. Find a child who flourished under the DC voucher program that Obama shut down and has been forced to attend a dismal public school, and let him and his parents tell their story in testimony before a House hearing.
2. Do the same with a child whose daddy worked on a Gulf oil rig who got laid off because Obama would rather have us buy Brazilian Gulf oil than drill for our own.
Children as Props
Submitted by Jerry Mack on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 10:34pm.
I find it totally disgusting for AM to be using this child as a prop. I find it disgusting for anyone to use a child as a prop. Question for AM. Have you done anything besides run your mouth to provide this child with health insurance?
Jerry Mack...
Submitted by Jer on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 11:16pm.
What is your opinion of pro-life groups using a young child--or a photo of one--as a prop?
Jer
False equivalence...
Submitted by poseA on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 12:22am.
Showing the inherent outcome of abortion is not deceptive or in any manner disingenuous, but rather it is the unadulterated truth of the matter.
This child knows nothing of the truth. He thinks our inability to finance a new unalienable health care entitlement is irrelevant. He couldn't be more wrong but I don't blame him, he's just a child. The true culprit in this case is Greenspan's wife.
False equivalence? Not at all.
Submitted by Jer on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 2:40am.
Questions of propriety and exploitation can be fairly debated. But it is highly probable the young boy who is the subject of this blog is every bit as [and likely far more] familiar with "his" issue as the young girl depicted here is with "hers".
Jer
You can't exploit a stock photograph.
Submitted by SickofLibs on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 8:32am.
What was the pro-life group supposed to use to convey their message, a porpoise?
Plus the poster girl's mother asked them to pull it, which they did. Little Marcelas, on the other hand, will continue to be pimped out by shameless hacks like The Mummy.
Teacher's unions are the REAL experts in this, BTW.
The issue isn't exploitation...
Submitted by Jer on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 2:13pm.
but the use of "props" to convey a message, and, more specifically, the use of children as props. [However, I think it fair to suggest--as others on this thread believe--such use is inherently exploitive.] With respect to your question, the group could have used no photo at all on the poster, or it could have used a picture of an African-American of any age. But, I am reasonably sure the sponsors of the ad and designers of the poster believed it would carry a greater emotional wallop if it depicted a young black girl. So why would that not qualify as using a child as a prop?
And don't misunderstand my point, SoL. The message itself may be controversial, but, it also may be entirely appropriate for the pro-life group to use the photo [assuming the child and the parents consent]. In this case, "Little Marcelas" isn't an actor and he didn't make up a sob story, and, while his message may be highly contentious, it is grounded on real-life events which involved and impacted him. So what are pro health reform groups supposed to use to convey his story and his [and their] message, a porpoise?
Jer
Jer: Little Marcelas either
Submitted by stratman on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 2:55pm.
Jer:
Little Marcelas either does not know what he's talking about or has become a devious manipulator in his own right. His mother avoided medical care. His mother may have avoided Medicaid - is there proof she was passed over by Medicaid or some other applicable state program? Not that I've read. His mother never was refused medical care at the ER and would have been assigned a follow-up appointment with an appropriate specialty physician, or return to the ER, regardless of her ability to pay. Any reports she kept follow-up appointments? None that I've read.
The mother had a horrible disease. I don't know specifics on the etiology or severity of her pulmonary arterial hypertension, but most often it is of unknown cause, develops and worsens over time (progressive) and has a mortality rate of 15% per year. Even if it presented as a rapid decompensation due to an exogenous toxin or abrupt alteration in some body function, or the more likely slower degradation over time. the mother knew she was in trouble while having medical insurance. Treatment may have allowed her to continue her job, or, she would have gone on disability and be covered for life. Either way, the mother's avoidance of available care put her into a death spiral.
This was neither eevil insurance companies nor lack of state and federal options for care, but her own choice to avoid caring for herself. Her child paid the price of losing his mother because of her negligence. It is tragic but was avoidable in that death could have been delayed longer had she utilized the system.
Marcelas Owens has learned through observation and tutoring how best to act on the public stage. He may not realize it but he has learned to be a manipulator but not how to avoid being manipulated.
strat...
Submitted by Jer on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 4:52pm.
I'm not familiar with his mother's history. Andrea Mitchell indicated she lost her job and her health insurance, and did not qualify for Medicaid. I think it safe to assume she would have had difficulty obtaining new coverage because of her pre-existing condition.
Even the GOP-backed reforms would address systemic "problems" such as those. So, ease up on the kid. Now he doesn't have a mom--or a presidential pen.
Too bad she wasn't graced with coverage by my health insuror. In an act of extraordinary beneficence, it raised my premium to fifteen grand per year, dropped all prescription benefits, and hiked my co-pay to forty per cent of any medical costs incurred. True, I knew all those cheeseburgers I ate years ago weren't cholesterol-friendly, but day-em! :-)
Jer
Pathetic Rebuttal
Submitted by stratman on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 8:54pm.
You believe Andrea Mitchell isn't crafting the story for a particular outcome, complete with heavily edited facts that go against her biased message? LOL!
You completely sidestepped what I wrote. You didn't offer rebuttal to what I wrote. You are losing my respect and patience.
The child is not the problem. People who instigate and/or perpetuate ignorance and propaganda are. You are propagating half-truths in order to satisfy your conscience and ideology. If you don't believe what I've written about the medical system, look it up for yourself or ask your physician.
Don't expect me or others to allow you to go unchallenged on bs or let go unnoticed your stubbornness to recognize additional facts submitted. I am sorry to hear about you having to pay more for insurance. No one likes to pay more for anything. Direct your ire at yourself and the Left's abomination ObamaCare. You wanted it, now you've got it. If it were a tort, ObamaCare would be one direct and proximate cause for your increase. Since you feel this way, please return any profits on investments made or rate increases on what you charged clients over your career.
You do want to be beneficent, too, don't you?
strat...
Submitted by Jer on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 9:25am.
The child is not the problem? A curious observation, indeed. The child is certainly the topic of the blog, the topic of Jerry Mack's post, the topic of my reply to him, and the target of the opening salvo of your initial response to me. ["Little Marcelas either does not know what he's talking about or has become a devious manipulator in his own right."]
Since you found it necessary to accuse me of propagating half-truths, I would have appreciated the courtesy of a specification of precisely what those half-truths may be. I flatly stated I am not familiar with the mother's history, and, frankly, I believe you are not entirely familiar with it either since much of your post is based on conjecture, probable conduct or misconduct, and speculative options.
Nor do I understand the jaw-dropping suggestion that I don't believe what you have written about the medical system--especially in light of my repeated praise of your excellent contributions to Blonde's health forums. I regret the charge appears to be motivated more by your recent penchant for taking personal shots at me rather than being grounded on anything I have actually posted. I had hoped those previous occasions were simply an aberration. Apparently they were not.
Finally, my closing paragraph was just a flip aside [note the :-) symbol] tweaking the "kindness" of my health insurance company. I've mentioned it in the past. And, by the way, the steepest premium hikes and the more draconian benefit reductions were implemented well before Obama was elected. Obamacare had nothing to do with it.
Jer
I'm done spinning my wheels
Submitted by stratman on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 5:08pm.
I'm done spinning my wheels with you, Jer. You have avoided recognizing or rebutting my enumerated points. This is not the first time.
The Left, in this case Andrea Mitchell, fails to tell us the entire story. The public may not be as sympathetic or manipulated if Mitchell was thoroughly informative. You are content to hide behind "I don't know" rather than questioning agenda driven individuals who have a penchant for slant and convenient omission.
Your intellectual curiosity vacated this topic. You have no desire to effort but will piss around the edges with repetition and emotion. This was my complaint about your avoidance in explaining in your own words certain issues of law. For a guy who admonishes others as if he were the NewsBusters fact checker, you appear intellectually lazy when it comes to answering questions directly, or, in this case, re-examining nebulous issues once additional substantive knowledge is presented.
As to your medical insurance, actuarial predictions based on your advancing age, changes in your health status, ie new health issues, as well as changes in costs to cover ongoing health issues are reasons for increases in premiums. It doesn't sound like you have been denied state of the art care. ObamaCare and other efforts to drive coverage to single payer, government run health care will result in less care coverage for you in the future. All of this is tangential to the Marcelas Owens discussion, but it was an effective redirection tactic since I've responded.
Hm.
Submitted by HockeyKid on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 9:19am.
when I saw the headline "Boy Health Care Activist", I thought they were talking about Obysmal.
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
I have no right
Submitted by dmaley1714 on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 2:18pm.
to make a a doctor treat me, I would be stealing his labor
I have no right to force people to make medicine for me with out compensation,
I have no rights that force other people to do things for me.
These rights they speak of are not people denying them things it is their demand
to be given things.
Thank you for that post,
Submitted by stratman on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 9:08pm.
Thank you for that post, dmaiey1714.
The great Walter E, Williams, to paraphrase, defined "Rights" as that which we are all born with, all hold simultaneously, do not diminish the rights of others when exercised, and require nothing from another but non-interference. Every other so-called "right" is a "wish" requiring someone else to do something for the benefit of another.
Walter E. Williams on Health Care and Rights
Walter E. Williams on Rights vs Wishes
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