Rep. Pete Olson called out for exploiting sick child to denounce Public Option

September 2, 11:40 AMLiberal ExaminerJenny Kakasuleff

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Don Michelson stands outside Palmetto General Hospital in Hialeah, Fla., Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009, where U.S. Senators Mel Martinez, John McCain and Mitch McConnell spoke to a crowd of supporters about their views of health care reform. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)
 

Republican Congressman Pete Olson was heckled by audience members when he used the story of a young girl named “Britney,” whose unborn child had a hard defect, to make the argument that if Americans were allowed to choose a Public Option – Britney’s baby would have died.

“…her son would not have been born if there was a public option plan. She wouldn’t have had the choices…to find the doctor that she wants.”

Rep. Olson was immediately jeered by audience members who took issue with his blatant lie. One participant clearly states, “Oh, Jesus Christ…that’s terrible,” while another says, “That’s not true.”

The congressman responds: “For those who say it’s not true, don’t talk to me, talk to Britney.”

It is unclear why, exactly, the audience should direct their questions to Britney. Is she a health policy expert? (Not that this lends credibility. See the Betsy McCaughey series)

When the same person in the audience points out that “It was the doctor’s who turned her down, not the government;” Olson nervously flipped through some paperwork on the podium clearly struggling to respond to how he had arrived at his erroneous conclusion. Others hissed in an attempt to shut the truth-teller down, but once another attendee chimed in with the “death panel” claim, the congressman abruptly ended the town hall; lest he be challenged on propagating more misinformation.

You stay classy, Rep. Pete Olson.

For a thorough debunking of the “death panel” myth, click here.