Children's Healthcare (shooting)
Script: Kemmis Idea: Johnson
This Draft: 2/21/08 (CLK)
INT. NEWSROOM
FOOTAGE: Kids in hospitals.
ANCHOR
While Congress debates how to
provide health insurance for
America's nine million uninsured
children, a surprising study
released today by the National
Center for Policy Analysis finds
the vast majority of children do
not want health care. Joining us
now is the study's director, Gerald
Fisher.
SPLIT-SCREEN: With the Director, Gerald Fisher. An older,
white, conservative looking guy.
ANCHOR (CONT'D)
Tell us about this study, Mr.
Fisher.
DIRECTOR
We surveyed over two-thousand
children and found that across the
board they were strongly opposed to
doctors visits, vaccination
programs and essentially every
health care service some
politicians are saying government
coverage should provide.
FOOTAGE: A kid getting a shot and crying.
GRAPH: Pie graph showing children's answers to question:
"Would you like to go to the doctor more?" 78% said, "NOO!"
15% "I hate you" and 7% refused to speak.
FOOTAGE: A scared kid at the doctor.
ANCHOR
We're seeing those survey results
here. You asked the simple
question: "Would you like to go to
the doctor more?" The majority of
respondents shrieked "No."
DIRECTOR
"Leave me alone." "Don't make me
go." They were extremely passionate
on the issue. Many went as far as
to say, "I hate the doctor. He's
mean."
ANCHOR
Did they support any health
coverage at all?
DIRECTOR
Only "rides in ambulances", but
that number went down drastically
if they were told they had to be
sick or injured while in the
ambulance, or couldn't ride with
the siren on.
ANCHOR
Why do you think they feel so
strongly?
DIRECTOR
Well, it's clear these children are
worried that increased government
funding for health insurance is a
slippery slope to socialized health
care.
ANCHOR
So this is a political issue for
them?
DIRECTOR
And a moral one. When we asked
them if they see universal health
care as an unfair burden to certain
taxpayers and would they like a
lollipop, almost all children said
"Yes."
ANCHOR
This obviously comes as a blow to
politicians who have been calling
for universal child health care
coverage.
FOOTAGE: Politicians who do that.
DIRECTOR
Yes. There's senators pushing 12
billion dollar packages and these
kids are saying "Please no doctor,
please." Look at Russ Feingold's
proposed plan, for instance. It's
is completely out of step with what
its intended recipients actually
want.
GRAHIC: Pan down a list of what the plan would provide:
Prevention, emergency services and for trauma, and care for
on-going illnesses, as well as care for dental, vision, and
mental health. A column beside it says "Wanted by children?
NO, NO, NO, NO, NO."
DIRECTOR (CONT'D)
The senator wants coverage for
inpatient surgical care, but ninety
seven percent opposed that.
Dental coverage: One-hundred
percent opposition. Laboratory and
radiological services: Eighty-one
percent opposition, and nineteen
percent not understanding of what
those words meant.
ANCHOR
Now, there were calls for Feingold
to step down just this morning,
after the results of your study
were released.
DIRECTOR
And we hope he does. His
legislation would make children
cry. That's terrible leadership.
ANCHOR
In opposition, a majority of
senators are backing a bill that
will cut all public funding for
children's hospitals. It will close
approximately nine-thousand of the
outdated, unwanted facilities.
FOOTAGE: Children's hospitals.
FOOTAGE: Kids in hospitals looking really sick and in
intensive care.
ANCHOR (CONT'D)
Children's hospitals around the
country have already announced they
will begin expelling patients as
early as this week.
DIRECTOR
That's a real victory. It'll save
taxpayer money, and children will
be able to save up their allowances
to buy medical care from the
provider of their choice.
ANCHOR
Have you heard any response to this
announcement, from the children
themselves?
DIRECTOR
The kids are thrilled. They've been
saying, "Goody! I want to go home.
Unplug me. I want to go to grandmas
or the movies." Basically, they'd
rather be anywhere but in those
hospitals.
FOOTAGE: More really sick kids in hospitals
ANCHOR
And it looks like they're going to
get their wish. That's great to
hear. We're almost out of time, but
what is next for your research
team, Mr. Fisher?
DIRECTOR
Next week we'll be starting another
survey of children, this one
regarding the U.S. Education
system. And after that, one on gun
control.
ANCHOR
Fascinating stuff, and of course
very important in shaping public
policy. Mr. Fisher, best of luck.
Moving on:
ANCHOR (CONT'D)
The government unveiled their new
edible food stamp program today.
GRAPHIC: Photo of the cracker-like food stamps.
ANCHOR (CONT'D)
A head of household will receive a
32 ounce package of food stamps for
every dependent.
THE END
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