Akin: 28-year-old with cancer and no insurance will have to deal with consequences of his decisions

(From the Claire McCaskill campaign)

At a Republican debate in January 2012, Todd Akin told Missouri voters that a 28 year-old who gets diagnosed with cancer, but has chosen not to buy health insurance should simply have to deal with the consequences of his decisions. Akin’s approach to this problem is not only craven, but it also forces such  individuals  to rely on the least efficient medical care through the emergency room, and would pass those costs along to other Missourians. 

Akin Said 28 Year Old With No Insurance And Cancer Would Have To Deal With “Consequences From [His] Decisions.” Speaking At a debate at the Missouri Athletic Club in January 2012, Akin was asked what should happen to a 28 year old with no insurance who gets cancer. Akin said “You know, I want to take the thing straight head on. Because that's a tough question. I think that what we have to realize is all of us make decisions in our lives and there are consequences to those decisions. If we try to separate the consequences from the decisions that we make eventually you end up with a system that is broken and will not work. I believe that the 28 year old that chose not to have insurance is going to have to pay a big chunk of his medical bills. [Akin at Missouri Athletic Club Debate, 1/10/12]

“Todd Akin claims to be guided by his values and principles, unfortunately for many Missourians, those principles consist primarily of leaving Missouri’s families out in the cold,” said Erik Dorey, McCaskill for Missouri spokesman. “Missouri deserves a Senator like Claire, who is able to work for commonsense solutions that benefit Missouri’s working families. Akin’s views are too extreme, and consist primarily of telling Missouri’s families ‘you’re on your own.’”