Freshly crowned Miss USA, Kara McCullough of Washington, D.C., sparked controversy on Sunday with her response to a question on whether affordable health care was a privilege or a right. “I’m definitely going to say it’s a privilege,” she said.
However, she seemed to reverse her position on Tuesday during an interview on “Good Morning America.”
“I am privileged to have health care and I do believe that it should be a right. I hope and pray moving forward that health care is a right for all worldwide,” said McCullough.
The Miss USA winner, who works at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, had said, “As a government employee, I’m granted health care. And I see firsthand that for one to have health care, you need to have jobs, so therefore we need to continue to cultivate this environment that we’re given the opportunity to have health care as well as jobs to all the American citizens worldwide.”
The buzz over McCullough’s comments comes at a time when the state of American health care is being hotly debated. A controversial GOP Obamacare repeal bill narrowly passed the House on May 4th.
Several people on Twitter slammed McCullough for her comments:
Miss USA is a chemist who advocates for women in STEM, but without feminism or guaranteed access to healthcare. Oooookay.
— The Dubai Datebook (@_ShamGod) May 15, 2017
For everyone that says well miss usa is rocket scientist, nuclear chemist I get it. Ben Carson is also a brain surgeon. See how that works?
— Dwight E. Williams (@DWill____) May 15, 2017
@deray Don't the taxpayers fund part of military/government employees healthcare? Sounds like we've paid for her insurance and she's ok with that.
— Maxwell Carr (@realmaxcarr) May 15, 2017
#MissUSA Miss DC just lost me with that answer….Affordable healthcare is a privilege? Girl bye. pic.twitter.com/Q5mU7PIlx1
— Kat ?❤ (@dazella_may) May 15, 2017
Others applauded her:
Proud of Miss DC for not giving the answer the majority wanted but for sticking to her beliefs and giving a great answer instead. #MissUSA
— Holly J. (@HollyyHope) May 15, 2017
Oh No! Miss USA actually has a brain, and realizes that you need to have jobs to get healthcare. No Free Rides.. Get off your asses and work
— Matt Couch (@RealMattCouch) May 15, 2017
This story has been updated.
