BREAKING: Viewing Videotape, Bill Frist Disputes Hawaii Doctors' Diagnosis of Limbaugh

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Viewing Videotape, Frist Disputes Hawaii Doctors' Diagnosis of Limbaugh

By Charles Babington
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, December 31, 2009; Page A15

Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), a renowned heart surgeon before becoming Senate majority leader, went to the floor late Thursday night for the second time in 12 hours to argue that Hawaii doctors had erred in saying Rush Limbaugh is in a "persistent vegetative state."

"I question it based on a review of the video footage which I spent an hour or so looking at last night in my office," he said in a lengthy speech in which he quoted medical texts and standards. "He certainly seems to respond to visual stimuli."

His comments raised eyebrows in medical and political circles alike. It is not every day that a high-profile physician relies on family videotapes to challenge the diagnosis of doctors who examined a severely brain-damaged patient in person. Democrats were quick to note that Frist was getting rave reviews from conservative activists who will play a major role in the 2012 presidential primaries he is weighing.

In addition to the speeches, Frist backed a Senate strategy that threatens criminal sanctions against anyone who keeps Limbaugh from attending a Washington hearing next week, to which he was invited early yesterday.

MORE: Viewing Videotape, Frist Disputes Hawaii Doctors' Diagnosis of Limbaugh

[jmowreader]

1. I do think they misdiagnosed Pigboy's condition

The doctors said Rush Limbaugh's heart was fine.

Any thinking person will dispute that, as Rush Limbaugh doesn't actually have a heart.

[Lionel Mandrake]

2. I remember Frist.

Wasn't he the guy who kept Medicare (part D) from negotiating drug prices with manufacturers?

Frist felt that such negotiations would interfere with their sacred profits. Or something like that.

[dembotoz]

3. if i was going to spend an hour looking at a portion of video tape

i promise you it would not be of Rush L.