Politifact, R.I.P. - NYTimes
This is really awful. Politifact, which is supposed to police false claims in politics, has announced its Lie of the Year — and it’s a statement that happens to be true, the claim that Republicans have voted to end Medicare.
Steve Benen in the link above explains it, but let me just repeat the basics. Republicans voted to replace Medicare with a voucher system to buy private insurance — and not just that, a voucher system in which the value of the vouchers would systematically lag the cost of health care, so that there was no guarantee that seniors would even be able to afford private insurance.
The new scheme would still be called “Medicare”, but it would bear little resemblance to the current system, which guarantees essential care to all seniors.
Fmr Clinton Adviser Walks Off Fox News Set Amid Heated Medicare Debate
HA!
Breaking: House Republicans pass bill to phase out Medicare - TPM
“Particularly for liberals, this is a defining moment in the Obama presidency. If he gives an inch on Medicare you will hear the roar in Washington and around the country.”
Wow this takes ‘flip flip’ to a whole new level
On December 6th, a press release from the office of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell attacked Democrats for “cutting Medicare.”
The very next day, after again failing to get traction, Sen. McConnell released a statement attacking Democrats for “expanding Medicare.”
“
Sources who have been briefed on the negotiations say that Medicare buy-in is attracting the most interest. Expanding Medicaid is running into more problems, though there’s some appeal because, unlike increasing subsidies, expanding Medicaid actually saves you money. There’s also ongoing discussion about tightening regulations on insurers, but I don’t know the precise menu of options being considered.
The negotiations are fluid right now, and there’s nothing close to agreement. But there is interest,
”Exclusive: Medicare buy-in attracting interest in the public option negotiations
MYTH: Health care reform will hurt Medicare.
I am so sick of Republicans scaring seniors. Here are the facts.
From the AARP:
Fact: None of the health care reform proposals being considered by Congress would cut Medicare benefits or increase your out-of-pocket costs for Medicare services.
Fact: Health care reform will lower prescription drug costs for people in the Medicare Part D coverage gap or “doughnut hole” so they can get better afford the drugs they need.
Fact: Health care reform will protect seniors’ access to their doctors and reduce the cost of preventive services so patients stay healthier.
Fact: Health care reform will reduce costly, preventable hospital readmissions, saving patients and Medicare money.
Fact: Rather than weaken Medicare, health care reform will strengthen the financial status of the Medicare program.
Bottom Line: For people in Medicare, health care reform is about lowering prescription drug costs for people in the “doughnut hole”, keeping the doctor of your choice, improving the quality of care, and eliminating billions in waste that is causing poor care and medical errors.
NPR Slices and Dices Michael Steele On Health Care And Medicare (Audio)
Hard to believe this guy really is the head of a major American political party. - David Kurtz - TPM
the interviewer here totally nails steele. quite frankly he makes steele seem way over his head and downright silly. embarrassing.
