Twitter Goes Nuclear Over Miss USA's Health Care Answer

Newly crowned Kara McCullough said during Q&A health care is 'privilege,' not a right
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted May 15, 2017 10:37 AM CDT
Twitter Goes Nuclear Over Miss USA's Health Care Answer
Miss USA Kara McCullough, before her big win, competing during the Miss USA contest Sunday in Las Vegas.   (AP Photo/John Locher)

Miss DC Kara McCullough ascended to the Miss USA throne Sunday, proclaiming, "I love science" after her win, a shoutout to both her own job as a nuclear scientist for the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and as encouragement to kids considering similar careers. One thing she apparently doesn't love, however: guaranteed health care for all, based on one of her answers to a pageant question that's now gaining steam online. CNN reports that her answer came when she was asked whether she felt "affordable health care for all US citizens is a right or a privilege," to which she replied it was "definitely" a privilege. "As a government employee, I am granted health care and I see firsthand that for one to have health care, you have to have jobs," she said.

Her answer didn't exactly thrill many who are still reeling from the House passing the American Health Care Act earlier this month, with questions lingering about preexisting conditions and overall access to health care if the plan becomes law. "Miss DC was my fav but… not after that answer. Everyone has a right to healthcare," one commenter tweeted, while another exclaimed: "Not a right!?!? Ma'am!!! What?" She did have her defenders, including one fan who tweeted: "Miss USA is a nuclear chemist that works for the USNRC, but is somehow 'uneducated' because y'all didn't like her answers." Newsweek reports McCullough also offered a "controversial" answer to how she feels about feminism. She replied she preferred the term "equalism," noting, "I … try not to consider myself like this die-hard … 'Oh, I don't really care about men.'" (More Miss USA stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X