On 29 June 2016, the web site DCPols published an article (which they republished as USPOLN in March 2017) about Mississippi legislator Jeff Guice, who supposedly expressed disdain for the plight of children whose parents cannot afford their medical care:
Both DCPols and USPOLN are "hybrid" web sites that publish stories containing a mixture of fact and fiction. In this case, the factual part of the article was based on a real comment Guice made in June 2016 in reply to a mother who had asked for help in navigating the system Medicaid:
A state representative has apologized to the mother of a diabetic child who reached out to him asking for help navigating Medicaid.
Nicole Nichols sent an email to each state representative, asking for help in obtaining her diabetic daughter's insulin pump supplies.
State Rep. Jeffrey Guice, R-Ocean Springs, responded, "I am sorry for your problem. Have you thought about buying the supplies with money that you earn?"
Although this comment ("I am sorry for your problem. Have you thought about buying the supplies with money that you earn?") was real, DCPols employed a more sensational (and completely fabricated) quote for their article's headline.
Guice later apologized for his genuine remark:
"I realize my remarks to Mrs. Nichols were completely insensitive and out of line," Guice said in an emailed statement. " I am sorry and deeply regret my reply. I know nothing about her and her family and replied in knee-jerk fashion. I'd like to think the people of Mississippi and my constituents know that I"m willing to help where I am able."
