Biden personally called Pennsylvania hospital to see why friend could not be admitted

[Calista241]

Source: The Hill

President Biden on Thursday said that he had personally called a hospital in Pennsylvania to ask them why his friend could not be admitted to the emergency room when she was having difficulty breathing.

While speaking at the Clayco Construction Site in Elk Grove Village, Ill., Biden described his friend's condition, saying, "She was having trouble breathing, had a high fever and could not really catch her breath. And they got her into the hospital, but the waiting room was so crowded, things were so backed up, they couldn’t even get her to be seen initially."

Biden used the anecdote to speak on how hospitals are being overrun throughout the country, but he did not fault health care workers for being unable to immediately treat his friend.

"So, because I knew this person, I called. I called the desk, the receiving nurse, and asked what the situation was and has anyone even — and, by the way, I wasn’t complaining, because they’re getting the living hell kicked out of them, by the way. Doctors and nurses, some of them are just — they’re running dry. And to make a long story short, it took a while because all of the — not all — the vast majority of the emergency rooms and the docs were occupied taking care of COVID patients."

Read more: https://thehill.com/regulation/healthcare/575931-biden-personally-called-pennsylvania-hospital-to-see-why-friend-could

[Mme. Defarge]

1. Amazing!

What a president!

[Effete Snob]

2. Seems inappropriate

They were just goofing off in the ER until he called?

Maybe I’m missing something in this story, but how is that an appropriate thing to do to an ER that is overloaded and doing triage?

That’s completely out of any expertise he has.

[vanlassie]

3. Pretty sure he has a history of trying to help people who's

plight comes to his attention. Often strangers.

[Effete Snob]

5. I don't see what that has to do with it

Since when does one’s ability to get medical attention in an ER depend on whether one has political connections?

Everyone else in that ER was a stranger, and whomever took his call was not helping anyone during that time.

[denbot]

4. Pile on Biden

Thanks patriot.

[Effete Snob]

6. I'm not "piling on"

Good golly. It’s inappropriate to bother the staff at an ER, regardless of who you are.

If the idea is the man can do no wrong, that’s a little creepy.

People pull “do you know who my friends are?” in ER’s all of the time.

[denbot]

8. Yeah sure, what eves..

[summer_in_TX]

51. That'd be my instinct.

At least unless I was the spouse or child of the ill person. who would be expected to have a role to play in over-seeing their loved one's care.

[Demsrule86]

64. Yes you are actually...no need for any of us to 'pile on'.

[Cousin Dupree]

7. I agree with you. No matter what his motivation, it looks like he was throwing his weight

around. They’re doing the best they can. His call could be interpreted as a suggestion that this was not the case.

[Demobrat]

21. It struck me this way too.

I don’t know any powerful politicians. So I guess if it happens to me I’m just SOL.

[Raine]

48. Agree nt

[Demsrule86]

65. Well you can express your outrage all the way to the time the GOP takes over...because

everything Biden does is under the microscope. Can you imagine a Republican ever doing this to Trump or some other Republican president? And some wonder why we can't have nice things in terms of policy. He called for a friend...typical Biden who tries to help.

[Cousin Dupree]

80. I'm not outraged at all. Simply making an observation. The fact that he called suggests that

something was not up to par and he was “trying to help”. Not his best moment. That’s all. I love the guy.

[NullTuples]

79. I read it more as, "even when the President called, it still took a lot to get her seen"

Out of touch a little, sure.

But I think his point was that he felt he had to try and even with the request coming from him they were unable to simply roll out the red carpet for her (which to be honest is what would happen in normal times when the President calls with a request).

[griloco]

9. I totally agree with you, Effete Snob!

You're missing something.

PS. Most would have done the same

[Marthe48]

10. A good way for the Pres. to have his finger on the pulse

Even if we read the news and know that hospitals are overwhelmed with Covid patients, it surely helps bring it home if you call and hear it from their mouth to your ear.

I saw my dr. for an annual checkup yesterday. I asked how she was and she said she was grateful every day she woke up and didn't have Covid. I took her presence for granted till she said that.

[hadEnuf]

14. What?

Biden was trying to get a first hand view on what's really going on in the ER's and relate his personal experience to others, not trying to force staff to treat his friend. And that's a hell of a lot more than any Republican has done. The best Republicans can manage to do is stand outside the hospital and block ambulances while screaming Covid is a hoax.

You seem to have really missed the point.

[forgotmylogin]

72. That's how I read it also.

He understands that ERs are getting their butts kicked, he just wanted to say he had checked into it personally instead of "my staff tells me..." so he could bring attention to hospital conditions.

[Hekate]

15. Well you be sure to remember that next time a word from you might make a difference...

…in whether a friend remains unnoticed or not in a health crisis. Because of it being totally, you know, inappropriate.

smh

[Effete Snob]

16. I'll remember it next time I'm in the ER

And someone else is calling in favors from a politician.

[wnylib]

34. You have assumed that Biden was

throwing his political clout around on this one. Another possibility is that maybe he wanted to know first hand what the situation was at thst specific hospital in case he could do something to help the situation and not just the friend, e.g. send in medical military to help. Or, to learn when they would be able to see his friend and maybe find another location to send his friend to, which would help the friend AND the hospital.

With that many people backlogged, it's possible that hospital staff was unable to know how bad off some of the waiting people were that they hadn't got to yet. If his friend was as breathless as it sounds, calling attention to the friend as a critical priority could have been life-saving.

Without having more details or being there ourselves, we just don't know the severity of the friend's condition or Biden's motivations.

[niyad]

41. Exactly.

[JohnSJ]

18. +++

[bronxiteforever]

20. +100

[NH Ethylene]

17. That was my first thought.

I realize he was just trying to help his friend. Most of us would do the same if we had that power.

Still, I would be mad if my loved one had to wait longer because Biden's friend skipped ahead in line.

[stillcool]

26. He called the hospital

to find out why his friend could not be admitted. I don't see how that is inappropriate. If your friend could not be admitted, wouldn't you call the hospital and find out what the deal was? He has no expertise, so he called the hospital. Why do people have to stop being people when they become politicians?

[azureblue]

27. very true

you are definitely missing something. But at least we know you aren't missing youe agenda

[wnylib]

36. +100.

[niyad]

31. Perhaps you should apply for the job as his Chief of Staff since, as you have demonstrated,

Last edited Fri Oct 8, 2021, 09:22 PM - Edit history (1)

you have a much clearer view of what is, and is not, "appropriate" behaviour from one of the most experienced, and decent and caring, political hands in the country. President Biden is clearly in desperate need of your expertise and guidance.

[TomDaisy]

35. I don't care

[marble falls]

43. You must think I'm a terrible shit for doing the same thing, calling in, asking - without making ...

... demands - about what the circumstances were that kept a sick person from getting into an ER examination room. Wouldn't you do the same thing if it were your wife, kid, parent?

The problem isn't that the POTUS interfered with anything, no one is claiming he exerted any sort of pressure on the hospital. The problem is not that the hospital screwed up, the President sure didn't make that claim. The problem is unvaccinated Covid patients, that there is no ethical argument to turn them out of hospitals, swamping our health care systems.

When I called about having my suddenly ill wife to get examined, I was told that there were no rooms, period. That the waiting room wait was going to 8 or 9 hours before there was even a triage. The person on the phone didn't think badly of me, for calling. And she saw her personal care physician the next day.

[kacekwl]

54. You're missing something.

Read it again.

[PJMcK]

62. Try reading the President's quote

You clearly missed the point of President Biden’s phone call.

Bashing Biden? Curious.

[Demsrule86]

63. I don't think so.

[11 Bravo]

73. Is that you, Peter Doocy?

[maxsolomon]

11. Expect a mountain out of this molehill.

The RWNM snake will use any venom it can acquire.

[tenderfoot]

32. Much like some of the people commenting in this thread...

lol.

[emmaverybo]

50. Bingo! NT

[PatSeg]

55. So it would seem

I must have read a different article than they did.

[Demsrule86]

66. I sometimes wonder about this sort of thing. Why?

[FrankTC]

12. Clinical vs Support Staff

Commonly, medical facilities have clinical staff to provide care and support staff to bill insurance, acquire background information, and field incoming phone calls. The staffs are not interchangeable — if the phone is dead for awhile, that doesn’t mean you can go to a waiting patient and take their pulse or start chest compressions. So President Biden’s compassionate phone call may not have interfered with the attention patients were receiving. I wouldn’t be as confident if it had been TFG. “Hi. Do you know who’s calling? It is I, your once and future king. Now everyone stop what you’re doing, smile for the camera, and be prepared to bow before my importunities” (yeah I know he wouldn’t say importunities). In any case, jumping on Biden for his call seems like swallowing a Fox News talking point and spewing it forward to where it’s really not needed.

[localroger]

13. It doesn't sound like he pulled the trigger of his political power

Rather, it sounds like he wanted to know what the problem was, and they told him. And he understood. It doesn't say that he got his friend preferential treatment. He had nothing to add that could improve the situation, and he knew it.

[calimary]

22. Just seems like a minor boo-boo at best (or at worst).

Just having observed him in action over a few decades, I’ve seen behavior that indicates a genuine concern for people and for their problems. A strong sense of not just sympathy but empathy because of his background and the family losses he’s experienced - and that helped shape and leavened him.

Sometimes it feels like a grandparent who hugs almost too often. Just trying to show how much he/she really cares.

[MyOwnPeace]

25. I'm voting "he cares" - not any grade "boo-boo......."

Last edited Sat Oct 9, 2021, 09:46 AM - Edit history (1)

We didn't see him 'go off to his estate to golf' (yeah, he probably doesn't have time for that.....) (oh, wait, where have I heard THAT before?).

WHEN did you EVER hear IQ45 show ANY concern for ANYBODY, friend or donor?

Yeah, President Joe just may be the "Old Aunt Lucy" that just wants to give you a kiss and a hug, just after a new fresh coat of Avon lipstick, but, man, he has a heart!

[TheRealNorth]

28. No shit

It would be different if he used his power to get his friend admitted. Of course, Republicans use their power for unethical means on any day that ends with "y"

[Demsrule86]

68. Me too...I like having a president who cares about his friends...God knows Trump never did.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

23. The real problem is that the hospitals and staff are overworked

because of the unvaccinated Covid patients. Turn them away, I say.

[BumRushDaShow]

24. PA has been averaging in the mid-5000s cases/per day for the past week or so

(Philly has been in the upper 200s/day so that state number ain't coming out of here)

A lot of hospitals have had to cancel elective surgeries because of this, let alone just the run-of-the-mill people who need emergency care. And many are in rural areas so they are being transferred to and are filling up the city hospitals.

[ymetca]

29. Joe called to check on a friend

and got the low down, and it AIN'T PRETTY.

But, yes, the MSM must now talk about how this might affect the mid-terms, or how it "looks" politically, etc., ad nauseum.

Geesh, maybe the reason employers are having a hard time finding people to work for them is because, oh I'm going to go out on a limb here and say

BECAUSE THEY'RE DEAD.

And all because a few obscenely rich assholes don't wanna pay any more in taxes.

A whole AstroTurf "movement" has been concocted for no reason other than to preserve greed.

It's just that simple. But gawd forbid Joe might try to "throw his weight around" a bit. That might be "inappropriate".

Give me a break.

[70sEraVet]

30. I WANT a president who 'throws his weight around' for the sake of a friend

Instead of the last guy, who threw his weight around to crush his enemies.

[MyOwnPeace]

40. BA-ZING!!!!!!!! GREAT RESPONSE!!!!!!

And yes, that certainly does create "quite the visual!"

[tenderfoot]

33. This is right up there with having private meetings with Putin

eom

[TomDaisy]

38. this is right up there with perverting the Department of Justice. !!!!!

[TomDaisy]

37. am I seriously supposed to be worrying about this? in the middle of everything going on??

[ZERTErYNOthe]

39. This is the state of our hellCare

Our healthcare system is fu3k3d. Take any advantage you can get, because you wont get a fair chance otherwise. It would be nice if we didn't have a system where power and privileges' made the difference, but with leaders like Moscow Mitch calling the shots this is what we get.

Also, I have a family member in the hospital with a serious cardiac condition. It is in a deep red part of NW PA. Thankfully fully vaxxed, but his treatment was delayed for quite a while because they didn't have a bed for him. Why? Unvaxxed Covid patients.

Fuck you, you Selfish Fucks. I will not forgive you if you killed someone I love so very much.

[MyOwnPeace]

42. Spent 2 lifetimes (15 months)

working in NW PA. The CLASSIC example of "WE WANT OUR FREEDUMB" but "WE HATE THE GUBMINT!"
I wish your family member well........


PS: Welcome to DU!

[orleans]

44. the poster you're welcoming has been on du for 4 years btw. best to check their profile first. nt

[MyOwnPeace]

46. Just going by the number of posts......

guess I should have done some research before being hospitable......


sigh.........

[orleans]

53. lol. those low post counts

can be a bit deceptive. it didn't occur to me until i welcomed someone who had been here longer than me!

but i'm sure they'll appreciate your thoughtfulness. it *was* thoughtful of you
(i probably shouldn't have said anything. sorry)

[vanlassie]

45. Do we know that he gave his name?

[niyad]

47. I wondered the same thing.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

74. Do hospitals usually take calls from randos complaining about other people's care?

[tulipsandroses]

49. He should have kept that story to himself

It was inappropriate. And yes this is nothing in comparison to what the orange turd did.

[jcmaine72]

52. As someone who once spent 7 hours in an ER waiting room in

excruciating pain with an infected gall bladder that felt like it was about to go supernova any second, all I can ask is...

...Does anyone have Joe's cell number?

[radical noodle]

69. I had the exact same experience

Gallbladder... about 7 hours wait time in the waiting room in terrible pain. Eventually admitted and spent 7 days in the hospital before they finally yanked it out. One frail lady who appeared to be about 90 and in a wheelchair waited the same amount of time.

[tenderfoot]

57. He should be impeached for it.

eom

[pnwmom]

60. Context matters. Biden hasn't given DU millions of reasons to distrust him. n/t

[Demsrule86]

67. Are you kidding...if Trump had done this? Trump tried to overthrow the government and some

here are complaining about a phone call from a president concerned for his friend. IMHO, this is doing the GOP's dirty work for them. I would have thought we would have learned our lesson from 2010...when Obama was attacked mercilessly for every little thing, and we lost the midterms.

[tenderfoot]

70. I think that's problem - Biden expressed concerned for someone other than himself

eom

[DFW]

58. A couple of weeks ago, I made a similar phone call

It was on behalf of someone here on DU that I had never even met. I’m not in any position of power, of course, but I enlisted the help of a friend who is. I guess I should consider myself lucky that I did’t get trashed here in a similar fashion.

[Hekate]

75. Yes you did, you beast. How COULD you? Did you learn nothing from God Emperor Trump?!

Tremendous sarcasm not aimed at you (gods forbid) but at the people only too eager to pile on a decent president who has humane instincts and behavior.

Bless you for being a long-distance friend to DUers (and no doubt others) who won’t even get to give you a hug, masked or not.

[DFW]

76. LOL!!

I get by with a little help from my friends

[Rollo]

59. The obvious answer to this problem is herd immunity...

The greater percentage of the population that gets vaccinated, the lower the covid impact on our health services. Because full vaccination is about 90% effective at preventing hospitalization and death.

[Mr. Sparkle]

61. unvaxxed covid patients should go to the back of the que in every situation.

They have been warned and should have to live with the consequences. We need to stop treating them like children.

[PatrickforB]

71. Yep. Anti masker, anti-vax trash. n/t

[Martin68]

77. I'm not sure this is necessarily a good optic politically. So it helps you get treatment in an

American hospital if you are a friend of the POTUS? Why is that necessary?

[bearssoapbox]

78. For the ones that think or say Biden shouldn't have called or did wrong by calling.

He should have sat there with his friend, holding her hand, maybe wiping her forehead with a cool damp cloth, telling her everything is going to be alright until she died, flopping around on the floor, gasping for air.

The nerve of him showing compassion and empathy for a friend that was possibly dying without any care.

Oh yeah.

Here's this for the sarcastically & empathy impaired.