PRESIDENT Barack Obama offered to personally pay the medical expenses of Vice-president Joe Biden’s son, rather than see Biden have to sell his house to care for his family.
Vice president Biden’s son, Beau, was diagnosed with brain cancer two years ago, and died last year.
Joe Biden told CNN that he told Obama over lunch one afternoon that he might have to sell his house to keep Beau’s family afloat, while Beau battled the disease.
“I said, ‘Jill and I will sell the house and be in good shape’,” Biden said.
Obama “pushed back vehemently’ saying: ‘Don’t sell that house. Promise me you won’t sell the house.’ He said, ‘I’ll give you the money. Whatever you need, I’ll give you the money. Don’t, Joe — promise me. Promise me.’ I said, ‘I don’t think we’re going to have to anyway.’ He said, ‘promise me,’” Biden recalled.
Joe Biden ultimately did not sell the house. Beau, who served the US in Iraq, died in June, leaving a widow and children. Obama delivered the eulogy.
Obama is due to give his final State of the Union as president address today.
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