Posted on 08/12/2009 12:25:20 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
They’re not terribly enthusiastic about it, but USA Today corrects the record — in a sidebar — on a number of assertions made by Barack Obama yesterday at his Portsmouth, NH forum. They leave out the biggest whopper, which is Obama’s claim that he has never favored single-payer health-care systems, but they do catch a couple of other big fibs, including Obama’s snow job on AARP endorsement. One of the best catches from USA Today concerns Medicare Advantage, about which Obama has lied for over two years:
“Insurance companies basically get $177 billion of taxpayer money to provide services that Medicare already provides.”
About 10.2 million Medicare recipients are in Medicare Advantage. Under that program, the government pays insurers a set amount per Medicare beneficiary. Obama ridiculed it as costly and redundant, but the plan provides additional benefits, such as vision, dental and hearing, to seniors and helps coordinate health care for those with chronic conditions, says Robert Zirkelbach at the trade association, America’s Health Insurance Plans.
In fact, Medicare Advantage is a Godsend for those trapped within the Medicare system. Recipients pay substantial monthly premiums, but the plan allows for better provider payments, which keep providers from locking patients out of their clinics. The extended insurance provides coverage for services which Medicare ignores, and some create a co-payment system rather than the 60/40 system Medicare gives seniors and the disabled in practice.
How do I know this? The First Mate has Medicare Advantage, and we saw what Medicare did before we got the supplemental coverage. It’s a disaster for anyone needing anything more than just maintenance care.
Next:
“Under the reform we’re proposing, if you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor. If you like your health care plan, you can keep your health care plan.”
Not necessarily. In an analysis of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee bill, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that 10 million workers could lose employer-provided benefits and would have to find other insurance.
Some analyses put that number much higher — as high as 83 million. Obama insists on making this argument despite all evidence to the contrary, especially since businesses control insurance options for most people in the US. If Obama makes it attractive for businesses to dump their employees into a public plan, then most people won’t be able to keep their existing plans. And thanks to ObamaCare, they won’t have many options to find private insurance, either.
“The rumor that’s been circulating a lot lately is this idea that somehow the House of Representatives voted for ‘death panels’ that will basically pull the plug on Grandma. … (T)he intention. .. was to give people more information so that they could handle issues of end-of-life care when they’re ready, on their own terms. … (O)ne of the chief sponsors of this bill originally was a Republican … (Sen.) Johnny Isakson from Georgia.”
Isakson issued a press release saying Obama misused his name. A provision he attached to a Senate health care bill would allow seniors to obtain help in formulating a living will something Isakson said is different from House language. The House bill would require Medicare to pay for end-of-life counseling sessions, but it would not mandate that anyone use the benefit.
The media had a field day with this yesterday, using Isakson as a bat with which beat conservative critics, but it never occurred to the layers of fact-checkers and editors that a Senator would have had nothing to do with a clause in a House bill. In fact, Isakson does support making end-of-life planning available, but doesn’t support the mandate for it that exists in Section 1233 of the House bill.
Kudos to USA Today for doing a good job of fact-checking, even if they couldn’t devote a separate article to it. (via QandO)
As Obamas approval rating breaks 50 and heads for 40 they will become more desperate and more pathetic. Also more dangerous.
The truth hurts, especially when USA has to come out and admit its child might be a tad wayward... It’s like a mother finally admitting her son is a serial killer...but he’s still a good kid! /s
The AARP should sue for Obama for claiming they supported the health care fiasco. When I heard that, I decided I would never join AARP. I wonder how many other people felt the same?
It’s not what you say. It’s how you say it. If it’s a lie, but is stated smoothly, it’s OK. Right?
like listening to a great song and never quite knowing what the lyrics are saying.
Obama is a consummate liar who needs to be thrown out or carried out of office before he totally destroys America.
If an employer can save money by not offering insurance why would they? Employees are the biggest expense a business has. If given the choice between dropping the coverage or keeping it, why would they keep an unnecessary expense?
Is it more complicated and I am not understanding?
I wonder how many AARP members are canceling their memberships daily?
“AARP- Moveon.org with false teeth” (El Rushbo)
The list, ping
My parents were both conservative and AARP members. They never saw a connection between AARP and the liberal beast. For them it was just discounts.
My husband and I cancelled our membership a couple of weeks ago. We had joined less than six months ago. They gave us a refund on the balance of our membership.
I think they’re getting the message.
Meanwhile, FactCheck.org has turned into an out-and-out shill for Obamacare. Disappointing.
It'd be fun to ask them about that, and offer that they shouldn't leave their day job at the carnival anytime soon.
AARP did support it until membership cancellations started.
It all comes down to wtf wtf means.
"You are trampling on our Constitution. You and your cronies in the government do this kind of stuff all the time. One day, God is going to stand before you and he's going to judge you." Craig Anthony Miller to Specter, according to The New York Times. "There is more anger in America today than at anytime I can remember." Specter
“AARP did support it until membership cancellations started.”
My wife and I both cancelled our memberships last Monday.
My husband cancelled his this week - and I told them to stop sending me their mailings.
I regret to inform you that based upon our sliding scale and my personal professional assessment of your particular situation, I have come to the conclusion that you have been denied care based on the current heavy volume in our system. -Have a nice day!
Sincerely,
Mr.,Mrs.,Miss, Ms. Bureaucrat
Media hypnotrance is being broken through. Only because of true american heros. Those who are out in the street. Join them and stop Obama.
Three if by government.
EXCELLENT!
About 15 minutes ago someone on here posted to me about FR showing server down and double posts this morning.
Then all was well but it just got slow again...
About 5 minutes ago I was prompted to LOG IN and I never logged out. The FR page was down completely so I typed into google- IS Free republic down?
Look what I found in the google search.It looks to be discussing free dominion but it links FR.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x2461174
Do these weeny sites really hack conservative sites down?
I just wanted you aware... I have no clue.
Sorry that was from 2005. Any reason why the hamster is running slow and needs fed today?
“The AARP should sue for Obama for claiming they supported the health care fiasco.”
PROBLEM:
The folks that RUN AARP are FOR this monstrisity, and have their heads so far up the Democrats anus that they have to have air pumped in.
the MEMBERSHIP is against this monstrosity, however, and now AARP is trying to walk a thin line.
Yet, they are STILL going ahead with their multi-million dollar ad buy to pimp ObamaCare.
bookmark
About 10.2 million Medicare recipients are in Medicare Advantage. Under that program, the government pays insurers a set amount per Medicare beneficiary. Obama ridiculed it as costly and redundant, but the plan provides additional benefits, such as vision, dental and hearing, to seniors and helps coordinate health care for those with chronic conditions, says Robert Zirkelbach at the trade association, America’s Health Insurance Plans.
####
“Medicare Advantage” is also called Medicare Part C, which is the HMO version of Medicare. I finally learned this yesterday after wondering what in the world Sen. Cardin was talking about in his power point presentation at Towson U. on Monday.
It may be a ‘godsend’ for some people, but many many medicare-enrolled users of medical services have private supplemental insurance - not paid for by any government - in order to have more control over the doctors, etc that one chooses to see.
.
NEWSFLASH! GOVERNOR RICK PERRY IS SCHEDULED TO BE ON PLAINS RADIO MONDAY, AUGUST 17 FROM 7-8 PM CST TO DISCUSS
OBAMA DEATHCARE AND INVOKING THE 10TH AMENDMENT OVER IT.
PLAINS RADIO:
http://www.plainsradio.com/radio.html
.
ATTENTION FELLOW TEXANS:
Governor Rick Perry may invoke the 10th Amendment over Obama’s health care bill (Vanity)
7/23/09 | Cowtowney
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2299225/posts?q=1&;page=51
Get after Perry, Texans. Burn up his switch board and fax!
Let him know we don’t want Obama DeathCare.
Say no to Obama’s DeathCare.
Send a message; DON’T MESS WITH TEXAS healthcare!
No! NO you don’t, you muzzie pos. You’re not denying our seniors deserved health care while insuring millions of illegal aliens and while Demorats are REJECTING Obamacare for themselves and their families!
Join organizations who fight ObamaCare.
This is a good organization:
The Alliance of Texans Against Government Controlled Healthcare:
http://www.notintexas.org/
office (972) 466-2915
fax (972) 466-2965
toll-free (866) 377-1300
From the website:
We are currently contacting Governor Rick Perry by fax and mail!
We have made it easy for you to help. Click here to display the letter and contact information.
http://www.notintexas.org/Letter_rick_perry.htm
Petition to STOP government controlled healthcare in Texas
Read and sign the petition
http://www.notintexas.org/Letter_to_Reps.htm
Print and sign the letter
(feel free to make changes if you wish)
Fax the letter to the fax numbers
Mail a hard copy to the addresses
Call their offices
Dear Governor Perry,
On March 30, 2009 the Texas House of Representatives passed HCR 50 affirming that the State of Texas claims sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment.
You have publicly supported this bill, and stated that attorney generals from all over the union could be getting ready to sue the US Government.
We are asking you to take the lead.
We are asking you to order the Texas Attorney General to publicly begin working on a law suit under Article IV, Ninth, and Tenth Amendment of the Constitution.
We are asking you to protect the citizens of Texas that we will not stand for government controlled healthcare in our state.
Under your leadership we can effectively kill the proposal of this administration and allow Texas to be a state free from socialism and collectivism.
Be the voice of reason in the national debate and allow Texans the ability to solve the problems of our state.
Thank you,
(Signature Date)
Lookup your state representatives
FREE FAX SERVICSES:
http://www.gotfreefax.com/
http://faxzero.com/
or google ‘free fax’
Contacting Rick Perry
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711
Phone: (512) 463-2000
Fax: (512) 463-1849
Washington Office:
122 C St., NW, Ste. 200
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 638-3927
Fax: (202) 628-1943
Contact Budget Planning and Policy
Address:1100 San Jacinto
Austin, Texas 78701
Phone: (512) 463-1778
Fax: (512) 463-1975
Gregory S. Davidson
Constituent Communication Division Director and
Executive Clerk to the Governor
Phone: (512) 463-1873
Office of the General Counsel
Department Mailing Address
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, TX 78711
Phone: 512.463.2000
Fax: 512.463.1932
Press Secretary
Allison Castle, Press Secretary
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711
Phone: (512) 463-1826
Fax: (512) 463-1847
Contact Texas Health Care Policy Council
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711
Phone: (512) 463-1778
Fax: (512) 463-1975
Sign up. Become a member.
Sign petition against Obamacare!
See member interview with Cavuto!
____________________
From Texans Against Government Controlled Health Care
Facts about the 10th Amendment:
The Tenth Amendment (Amendment X) of the United States Constitution, which is part of the Bill of Rights, was ratified on December 15, 1791. The Tenth Amendment restates the Constitution’s principle of Federalism by providing that powers not granted to the national government nor prohibited to the states are reserved to the states or the people.
The truth about government controlled healthcare:
Government healthcare is failing miserably in Massachusetts
If you think a government run healthcare system can work and be more affordable, read this... http://www.notintexas.org/Front_5.htm
Article from the Washington Examiner 1/11/09:
“Obama’s health policy advisers should take a good look at the smoldering wreckage in the Bay State before trying to impose any such “universal coverage” on the rest of the nation.” Link http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/Universal_coverage_First_look_at_the_disaster_in_Massachusetts_011109.html
More interesting reading - Free Market Cure
http://www.freemarketcure.com/
HCR 50 HAS PASSED THE HOUSE 99-36!
Affirming that the State of Texas claims sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States over all powers not otherwise enumerated and granted to the federal government by the U.S. Constitution, serving notice to the federal government to cease and desist certain mandates, and providing that certain federal legislation be prohibited or repealed.
Take Action! Before it is too late!
.
“If an employer can save money by not offering insurance why would they? Employees are the biggest expense a business has. If given the choice between dropping the coverage or keeping it, why would they keep an unnecessary expense?
Is it more complicated and I am not understanding?”
Well lets put this in two categories.
1. If your business has people that are easily replaceable like warehouse workers, cashiers, sales clerks IE a retail type business; government option is a no brainer. You’d offload benefits to the government. After all, you can restaff a position like that easily.
2. If your business is driven by a skilled workforce like architects, software engineers, lawyers, highly competitive professional sales people you can’t offload your benefits to the government if the competition for this skilled labor offers private insurance. Otherwise that skilled labor that does have an option to bolt for greener pastures will.
Now this feeds into the whole concept of John Edward’s “two Americas”. Yet it would be the government that would be segregating health coverage, not the private sector. Those who already prospered in the private sector would see an even greater advantage in doing so and increased benefits. Those who merely got by in life would become worse of than they were previously.
Kind of the antithesis of what liberals and progressives want isn’t it? Yet that’s how it would end up.
Very true.
I do think there is a difference between plaintiff atty.s and defense atty.s. Defense atty.s get acquitals, whereas plaintiff atty.s, i.e. the trial atty.s most of this issue is centered around, get a judgment in or against their favor.
Does AARP get free TAX $$$$$$$$$$$ does any one know. I read somewhere they did I thought.
I can say for a fact that Medicare Advantage is the ONLY way for me to get treatment with the disability I have. And even with it I run into a few problems. Obama is an idiot, and anyone currently on Medicare should be VERY wary of the crap he’s pushing.
It must have good intelligence from somewhere it tracked me down when nobody could when I turned 50. I am a merchant mariner and never in the same place for long. I think they have an “in”.
2 things to worry about if you are in the AARP. 1) Their CEO donated $9,000 to Obama’s campaign. 2) They are working with SEIU. SEIU wrote HR 3200!!! Do you think they might be on board? I would say absolutely!!!
Bump
The author doesn’t point this out strongly enough: The $177B for Medicare Advantage is revenue-neutral, i.e. it would cost traditional Medicare (fee-for-service) the same amount to care for this population of 10 million+ seniors, AND they wouldn’t provide the additional services MA plans provide, AND in many cases the member’s out-of-pocket expenses are way less than in traditional Medicare, depending on how sick you get (try paying that extra 20% of the hospital bill that traditional Medicare doesn’t cover, which is your responsibility if you don’t have Medicaid or some other medigap coverage plan).
Obama and his handlers paint MA as some sort of redundant corporate giveaway, but it is actually a good example of how the private sector can do what the government does, do it better and cover its own administrative expenses (and no, MA absolutely cannot deny services which would be denied by regular Medicare; that is tightly regulated and against the law).
Firms that depend on professionals would quickly jump on the government healthcare bandwagon. They wouldn’t have to get together and plan it, they would all see the immediate benefit of dumping their insurance plans. Employees at Smith-Jones might complain that if they don’t get health insurance, they’re going to go to Jones-Smith, but Jones-Smith has to have a need for employees before they will hire the ones who want to leave Smith-Jones. Further, the accountants at Jones-Smith will see the same numbers as the accountants at Smith-Jones, and also drop the healthcare plan.
This could actually benefit lower paid workers. As long as the government plan is cheap, the company would save a significant amount of money on healthcare and common sense dictates that the employees will demand some of the savings as salary increases. They won’t get all of the savings, but the payroll cost savings will be an instant benefit to the company. Someone will offer part of the savings to employees as cash increases, but still keep some of it as increased profit.
If the employees is paid $600 per week, an extra fifty bucks is a nice increase. If he makes $2,000 a week, it’s nothing.
they didn't even seems to care...
people must clean out the Congress next year 2010....
I weep for our children's future, America that once was.
correction...Medicare Advantage cannot deny anything covered by regular Medicare
AARP is an arm of the liberal wing of the Democatic party. The public is being educated and they are rescinding their AARP membership in droves.
Yep, as is PolitiFact, the new propaganda arm of the St. Pete Times!
AARP's Myths vs Facts - very similar to the new whitehouse web site Reality Check (propaganda)
I just got an email from a Tea Party organizer in Ca and she said to try out Truth or Fiction instead of FactCheck. http://www.truthorfiction.com/ I haven’t had a chance to really check it out yet but I just gave it a quick once over.
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