For Patients at Brooklyn Clinic, Obama a Clear Choice

The Affordable Care Act -- or Obamacare -- was good news for America's uninsured. But Mitt Romney has promised to repeal the law and make cuts to the Medicare and Medicaid programs upon which many of the poor rely.

Published

8 months ago

Categories

US, Health

Topics

US Politics

People

Barack Obama, Mitt Romney

Places

United States of America, New York City

Tags

affordable care act

Transcript

SCRIPT: Jose Rodriguez is at his neighborhood clinic for a regular check-up. At 77, he's had his share of health problems. SOUNDBITE 1 Jose Rodriguez (man), Retired bodega owner, Dr Caro's patient (Spanish, 4 sec): "I've had three operations for three hernias." ["Yo tengo tres operaciones por tres hernias. "] Like most of the patients here, Rodriguez relies on Medicare and Medicaid for his healthcare. The government-funded programs pay clinics like this one a fixed amount to provide unlimited services to low-income patients. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney wants to introduce a new system that gives patients vouchers to buy Medicare or private insurance. He says the system would cut government spending. But Dr. Sixto Caro says it could also cut services. SOUNDBITE 2 Dr. Sixto Caro (man), MD, Founder of Medspan Clinic (English, 7 sec): "The patients who are very sick will be in big trouble because they will run out of money." Dr. Caro founded this private clinic, which serves the mostly hispanic surrounding community. He's known many of his patients for decades, and fears that changes to funding could force him and other doctors to drop many of those with low incomes. SOUNDBITE 3 Dr. Sixto Caro (man), MD, Founder of MedSpan Clinic (English, 10 sec): "They will be obligated to go to a cheaper medical provider like a hospital clinic." Eloisa Morovel agrees. She's 86, suffers from numerous ailments and needs daily assistance from a home-health aid. Dr. Caro has been her physician for over 20 years. SOUNDBITE 4 Eloisa Morovel (woman), Retired seamstress, Dr Caro's patient (Spanish, 9 sec): "Sixto Caro is the doctor who's in charge of my care. Since I've started a treatment with him, I want to continue." ["Sixto Caro es el doctor de cabecera mio. Entoces come he empezado un tratamiento con el yo vedo donde el."] Only a few weeks remain before voters go to the polls and Obamacare remains a central issue for both campaigns, with the health coverage of many hanging in the balance. -------------------- SHOTLIST: BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 3, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV - tracking shot Dr. Caro leads Rodriguez down the hall - MS Caro says goodbye to Rodriguez - SOUNDBITE 1 Jose Rodriguez (man) - WS Dr. Caro speaks with Rodriguez in his office - WS Eloisa Morovel and her home health aide outside the clinic - MS patients in the waiting room of the clinic MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE, JANUARY 10, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV - VAR of a Mitt Romney campaign rally BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 3, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV - MS Dr. Sixto Caro speaks with Jose Rodriguez in his office - CU Dr. Sixto Caro - SOUNDBITE 2 Dr. Sixto Caro (man) - pan from Dr. Sixto Caro to Jose Rodriguez - WS of Jose Rodriguez from over Dr. Caro's shoulder - MS Jose Rodriguez speaking to Dr. Caro - SOUNDBITE 3 Dr. Sixto Caro (man) - WS Eloisa Morovel sitting in waiting room with her home health aide - MS Eloisa Morovels home health aide - CU Eloisa Morovel's feet and the wheels of her walker - SOUNDBITE 4 Eloisa Morovel (woman) - MS Rodriguez at pharmacy counter - MS pharmacist looks for prescription - WS Prescriptions sign with American Flag