Congressman Dennis Kucinich spoke out for the first time about the olive pit that brought him astronomical dental bills and a lot of bad press.
In an exclusive interview with MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell, the Congressman described the ordeal as a “very difficult series of dental and medical events that I had to deal with.” He added, “I’m glad it’s over.”
Kucinich said he does not have any dental insurance, so all costs were paid out-of-pocket.
Last week, Kucinich filed a $150,000 lawsuit against the House of Representatives cafeteria for "serious and permanent dental and oral injuries requiring multiple surgical and dental procedures.” An olive pit hidden in a wrap is to blame for Kucinich's dental damage. He knew his lunch contained olives — just not any menacing pits.
He said he “tried to resolve it without legal action" and the case has since been settled out of court.
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Seriously ? You follow a moving story about gun control with an entire segment called " olive branch" .. this is far from the last word - it is at most a five word commentary in a run of oddball happenings.. it is far from what I expect on msnbc and from a serious reporter.
J in San Francisco
he said ...he has a history of dental work why in the hell does he not have dental insurance. he is a fool.
what is his income ? and why wouldn't he have Dental Insurance, sorry I smell BULL@!$%# !!!!! I Lost my Ins. when I lost my job after 16 years, I haven't been to my Dentist for 3 years,and not by choice. I cannot believe that he would go with out INSURANCE ! Is he a fool ????? NO just a Bull@!$%#ter
Has anyone considered that perhaps with pre-existing dental issues he might have been unable to buy dental insurance?
I'm not sure that even the new health care bill provides a requirement to cover pre-existing dental conditions. I know that my mother who has all other kinds of insurance can't get dental insurance.
Why would someone jump to conclusions absent all the relevant facts?
I question Mr. O'Donnell's motive in covering this issue. Congressman Kucinich, in addition, to being a public figure, is a citizen with citizen's rights. There is no doubt that due to the negilgence of others, he was unnecessarily hurt and incurred financial damage. He had a right to make his own decision, based upon the response of those who were responsible, to pursue his claim in the Courts.
To bring this issue to public attention appears to me to be passing a negative judgement on hs actions with the intent of embarrassing him publicly. I was embarrassed for him. What right has Mr. O'Donnell to make such a judgment?
I, for one, have lost respect for Lawrence O'Donnell. There are much more serious issues on which his time and efforts can be spent.
When I ate Chicken ala King and had a chicken bone get stuck in my throat that had to be surgically removed I was told the substance was not foreign to the food item so no claim. An olive pit would not be covered either in something with olives in it. A metal object or perhaps a cherry pit in an olive loaf would be. He did better at settling then I did. Guess squeaky wheel once again gets the grease.
I love Laurence but I did not like this segment. Anyone who questions Congressman Kucinich's actions has not had extensive dental work. Dental insurance is also expensive and often is not worth it. It sounds like the Congressman went through several months of painful, aggravating dental issues. And the olive pit should NOT have been in his lunch!
As a dentist the worst thing that could happen is that on of those capped teeth gets broken---cost to fix $1000 to 3000----what are you planning to do with the other $147,000?????? This is what is wrong with this country---you have shown your democratic ASS
I agree that the $150 suit is outrageous, and I don't care which party he's from.
Talk about sense of entitlement! ALL of Congress is pretty much disgusting and greedy that way.
I recently broke a front tooth on a restaurant's overcooked fried okra. They're old teeth, almost as old as Kucinich's. Breaking is not uncommon. Actually, I am not permanently impaired. The sculpted tooth actually is shaped better than the original one.
It never occurred to me to sue the restaurant. I got to a dentist and got it fixed. My GREAT "Don't MESS with my insurance" provided by my employer, the state, covered um...NONE of the repair. I paid it.
If Kucinich wanted reparation, FAIR would be the cost of the repair, period.
But Congressional royalty don't see things that way.
Kucinich Bye Bye liberal progressive.