MSNBC’s Roberts Spins For Dems On ObamaCare: Private Insurers “Boondoggled” Public

NewsBusters.com ^ | October 31, 2013 | Jeffrey Meyer

[Kaslin]

Following shocking revelations exposed by NBC News that the Obama Administration knew millions of Americans would lose their health insurance under ObamaCare, the folks at MSNBC have been doing their best to provide cover for President Obama and Democrats in Congress.

Despite this damning revelation, MSNBC’s Thomas Roberts sees private insurance companies as the real culprit, not ObamaCare which forces consumers to purchase insurance benefits they do not need. Roberts claims that the problem is:

Not so much about defending Igor [Volsky] to their constituents, but explaining to constituents that you had a subpar junk policy that does not meet a mandated requirement of quality care in our country. Basically, you were being boondoggled to pay for something worthless. [See video after jump. MP3 audio here.] 

MSNBC’s Roberts Spins For Dems On ObamaCare: Private Insurers “Boondoggled” Public

According to Roberts, Americans are too stupid to realize the type of insurance they purchased and need a government “mandated requirement of quality care in our country” to rescue them from the private insurance plan that they like and want to keep.

Roberts’ attempts to spin on behalf of ObamaCare didn’t stop there, instead choosing to double-down on his disdain of private insurance companies:

The shame should really be on the private insurers that have had a lack of good regulation for years and now how they're trying to charge everybody is just kind of ridiculous. So more regulation is coming over that.

Not only does Roberts blame the insurance companies for supposedly “boondoggling” Americans into buying “worthless” insurance plans, but believes that the insurance industry must be regulated even more. Nowhere in the segment does the MSNBC host bother considering that consumers may have preferred an insurance plan that only covers certain benefits that they actually need rather than being forced into a plan that is a “mandated requirement of quality care.” Instead, Roberts is perfectly content serving as a shill for the Obama Administration and its failed attempts to sell ObamaCare to the American public.

 

See relevant transcript below.

MSNBC Live

October 31, 2013

11:06 a.m. Eastern

THOMAS ROBERTS: It did seem like a three-point strategy of coming out to admit mistakes and apologize for it. Explain the failures and then try to raise the confidence of the American people to seek a second chance make a better first impression on a 2.0. But Igor, our NBC/Wall Street Journal poll is showing that 47% of people think ObamaCare is now a bad idea. While 37% think ObamaCare is a good idea. And we have Senator John Thune who appeared on Morning Joe today suggesting that many democrats may be seeing the Republican side of things when it comes to the ACA. Take a listen.

JOHN THUNE: You’re going to see more democrats coming to the view that we ought to delay this. Maybe there will be some movements; some cracks among Democrats who are already starting to see that who are recognizing that this is very hard to defend with their constituents who are seeing these canceled policies and these insurance rate increases. 

ROBERTS: So is it not so much about defending Igor to their constituents, but explaining to constituents that you had a subpar junk policy that does not meet a mandated requirement of quality care in our country. Basically, you were being boondoggled to pay for something worthless.

IGOR VOLSKY: I think that’s right. And now that policy’s going away because the insurer really shifted all of the costs and risks of coverage on to you and you have to pay more and that in the new policy and more comprehensive policy, while your up-front premium may be more, your overall health care costs could lower because more is covered and at the end of the day if you have some kind of condition or some kind of disease you are going to be paying less for coverage. 

ROBERTS: The shame should really be on the private insurers that have had a lack of good regulation for years and now how they're trying to charge everybody is just kind of ridiculous. So more regulation is coming over that.

[miserare]

Is this nice “boy” the spawn of Cokie Roberts?

[MeganC]

MSNBC is starting the ‘journolist’ narrative for single-payer. Just watch.

[al_c]

It’s Bush’s fault.

It’s Palin’s fault.

It’s Boehner’s fault.

It’s the tea party’s fault.

It’s Ted Cruz’ fault.

It’s the insurance companies’ fault.

Blame everyone but themselves ... it’s the democrat way.

[library user]

What a nut job those commies at MSLSD are.

[Cowboy Bob]

The guy on the right looks really queer!

[KarlInOhio]

Basically, you were being boondoggled to pay for something worthless.

So my insurance is a worthless boondoggle because it will pay for a maximum of three sex-reassignment surgeries per lifetime rather than an unlimited number? Those $#($#(*( cheats!

[kcvl]

” you had a subpar junk policy”

And just who gets to decide that MY POLICY is ‘junk’?! It is none of your damn business, Roberts, what insurance I buy! It was just fine BEFORE Obama decided that he dictates our healthcare insurance policies.

He lied, a-hole. You can’t make that turd smell like a rose no matter what you claim about “subpar junk” policies!

[Oldexpat]

The Health Insurance industry needs to break their silence. Defend themselves.
There are many fine companies who are being maligned by these RATS. Kaiser, Blue Shield..etc etc. They were offering good competitive products.

[CivilWarBrewing]

The insurance companies ALLOWED THEMSELVES to get screwed. They ‘got into bed’ with the leftist regime who will soon PUT THEM OUT OF BUSINESS DUE TO SINGLE PAYER. They should’ve known better than to trust THIS administration.

[ZX12R]

MSNBC: The "Yes, you really are that stupid!" channel.

And gay.

[MrB]

Pretty much par for the course with fascists.
“Partner” with private business on a doomed to fail project,
then blame the private business for the fail.

[Travis McGee]

[Bubba_Leroy]

a subpar junk policy that does not meet a mandated requirement of quality care in our country

Thanks to Obama I can no longer buy one of those subpar policies that only cover those risks that I want to insure against. I was just too stupid to know that I wanted insurance that covers birth control, abortions, and drug treatment just because my wife and I are in our 50s and have never used drugs. Clearly Obama knows what is best for us.

Sure, socialism and a central planned economy have failed every time they have been tried, but this time it will work.

[kcvl]

Roberts has also been honored for his work as an advocate in the LGBT community, and was recipient of the prestigious Visibility Award from the Human Rights Campaign in October 2011.

Oct. 18, 2013

Roberts: “I’m an openly gay and married man”

Donald Trump Tells Thomas Roberts His Marriage Still Not Legit

Thomas Roberts: Why I’m going to Russia despite anti-gay laws ...

******

10/15/13 1:05 PM EDT

Rep. Marsha Blackburn and MSNBC host Thomas Roberts traded barbs in an on-air spat over Obamacare, with the Tennessee Republican calling the TV host’s line of questioning “incredibly inappropriate.”

“Congresswoman, let me ask you though, when it comes to Obamacare: Do you hate Obamacare more than you love your country?” Roberts asked Blackburn on Tuesday during his MSNBC show.

“I think that comments like that that you are making are just incredibly inappropriate,” Blackburn responde

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/10/marsha-blackburn-thomas-roberts-inappropriate-98331.html#ixzz2jKPlb5zY

[Red Badger]

The meme memo is out: BLAME THE EVIL INSURANCE COMPANIES FOR THE LOSS OF INSURANCE...........................

[E. Pluribus Unum]

All non-government businesses "boondoggle" their customers.

No non-government businesses should be allowed to exist.

Government is so much more honest, efficient and responsive.

[EQAndyBuzz]

It’s the MSM’s fault. Instead of warning America of the impending disaster they chose to cover it up.

They need to be held accountable.

[GeronL]

It’s their fault, they obeyed the law, blame them!

lol

[spawn44]

It’s pretty bad when THE SPIN doesn’t even work.